Observer States National Railway Services Fail to Meet Railway Law Mandate

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Transportation expert Azas Tigor Nainggolan assesses that the national railway services have yet to fulfil the mandate of Law No. 23 of 2007 on Railways. He stated that the law explicitly regulates that railway operations must prioritise several aspects for passengers. “Article 3 states that national railway operations must be safe, secure, and comfortable,” Azas said when contacted by Kompas.com via WhatsApp on Wednesday (29/4/2026). Azas believes that improvements cannot be limited to technical aspects but must also encompass the overall management system. Therefore, the primary focus that needs addressing, particularly by PT KAI, is ensuring that safety standards are truly implemented in daily operations. “What must be built is a service system that guarantees the safety, security, and comfort of passengers,” he said. One accident he spotlighted is the collision between the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek and the commuter rail (KRL) in East Bekasi. According to Azas, the incident indicates serious negligence. He highlighted the presence of unauthorised level crossings, the independent passenger evacuation process, and the entry of the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek onto the same track while the KRL was still at the station. “The chronological sequence indicates management negligence by PT KAI that failed to protect its own passengers’ safety,” he explained. Given these figures, Azas assesses that the government, as the party responsible for railway operations, must immediately take firm steps, including conducting a comprehensive audit of PT KAI’s management. He also urges evaluations up to the replacement of PT KAI’s management and supervisory board with figures deemed professional and integrous. Furthermore, Azas explained that negligence causing casualties can have legal consequences as stipulated in the Criminal Code (KUHP). Therefore, the accident, in his view, reflects systemic failures in public transportation management.