Railway officials urged to quit

Kurniawan Hari and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Too many rail disasters have occurred in the past few months and politicians and passengers put that down to mismanagement by the top train officials. Many are demanding that the top executives of state railway company PT KAI quit and Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar be dismissed from his post.

Legal groups even said that the public has enough evidence to charge those responsible with criminal negligence and try them in a court of law.

"All members of the management and any other decision-makers (with PT KAI) must quit their posts and be brought to court," Rosyid Hidayat, a member of the House Commission IV, which oversees transportation affairs, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, a speeding train slammed into a stationary train in Brebes, Central Java, killing over 50 people and injuring dozens of holiday travelers.

Also on Tuesday, a train accident took place in the East Javanese city Jember, claiming three lives.

Fellow legislator Soemaryoto, who chairs House Commission IV, said that legislators have often warned the government of an increase in train accidents.

"We have repeatedly told the government to restructure the management of PT KAI, but our demands have been ignored. Now we see train accidents taking place over and over," he said.

According to Soemaryoto, PT KAI board of directors, the minister of transportation as well as State Minister for State- Owned Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi must be held accountable for the frequent train accidents.

In its attempt to solve the problems in the railway company, the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) has urged the firm to improve transparency.

Indah Suksmaningsih, chairwoman of the consumers foundation, said that the spate of railway accidents are particularly caused by the unwillingness of the state company to do any sort of internal restructuring.

"I am nearly at a loss for words. The government does not have the determination to deal with the management of the railway company, mainly because it is the economy class trains and passengers that are affected," Indah was quoted by Antara as saying.

Major train accidents in 2000-2001

(No. Date; Train Type; Accident; Site; # killed):

1. Apr.18; Cargo train Executive train; Collision; Karawang, West Java; 4.

2. May 1; Economy trains; Collision; Serpong, Banten; 4.

3. Jul.2; Cargo train; Derailed; Padang, W. Sumatra; 19.

4. Aug.18; Cargo train Electric train; Collision; North Jakarta; 3.

5. Sep.10; Cargo train Economy train; Collision; Krengseng, W. Java; 16.

6. Apr.13; Coal trains; Collision; Muara Enim, S. Sumatra; 1.

7. Jun.4; Executive Train; Hit a van; Cirebon, West Java; 1.

8. Jul.15; Coal train; Hit a bus; Prabumulih, S. Sumatra; 7.

9. Aug.1; Economy train; Hit a truck; Tegal, C. Java; 13.

10. Sep.2; Economy trains; Collision; Cirebon, West Java; 41.

11. Oct.25; Economy train Cargo train; Collision; Rangkasbitung, Banten; 3.

12. Dec.25; Economy trains; Collision; Brebes, C. Java; 55.

13. Dec.25; Economy train; Hit a van; Blitar, East Java; 3.

Total: 170

Source: The Jakarta Post