South Jakarta High School Student Dies After Motorcycle Snags Cable, Thrown Under Bus

A student from SMA Negeri 6 Jakarta died after falling from her motorcycle and being struck by a bus on Jalan Lauser, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Thursday (18/6). The Head of the South Jakarta Education Sub-department II, Sarwoko, stated the case is currently under police investigation and could not provide further details. Separately, South Jakarta Traffic Police Chief Kompol Mujiyanto confirmed an investigation is ongoing. According to the police report, the incident occurred at 5:30 a.m. WIB. The student was riding a motorcycle when the handlebar snagged a low-hanging steel cable, causing her to fall. She was then run over by a passing school bus. The bus has been temporarily secured by the Metro South Jakarta Police traffic accident unit, and the victim was taken to the nearest hospital. Following the accident, Kebayoran Baru Sub-district Head Rachmat Mulyadi instructed neighbourhood heads and public infrastructure officers to monitor problematic cables. He expressed concern that loose, dangling cables endanger road users and said monitoring and tidying efforts would be intensified. The issue of tangled and dangling utility cables is a chronic problem in Indonesian cities, including Jakarta. In April, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that organising the capital’s overhead cables cannot be done instantly. He explained that the process requires measured stages to ensure the safe and optimal relocation of cable networks underground. Pramono assured that the provincial government has a clear roadmap and that the necessary regional regulation for the integrated utility network facility (SJUT) has been signed into law. Following the completion of technical rules, including a gubernatorial regulation, the administration will execute the plan to remove dangerous overhead utilities to improve urban safety and order.