The Tragedy We Allow to Repeat

This article is a column; its entire content and opinions represent the personal views of the author and do not reflect the editorial stance.

Some time ago, the entire Indonesian public mourned upon hearing the news of a collision between two trains—the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek and the KRL commuter line in East Bekasi. At least 79 people were injured, and 14 others were killed. Just a few days later, the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek accident in Grobogan, which claimed four lives, further darkened the mood.

Instead of seeking solutions, the elites in this country are merely seeking their own “safety”. The evidence? We can examine the conflicting statements from several ministers and deputy ministers involved.

When we read those numbers, it feels like reading a weather report—quick, cold, and devoid of emotional pause. Yet behind those figures lie flung bodies, family breadwinners who may no longer be able to work, and children waiting at home unaware of what has truly happened.

What is more disturbing, however, is not the accidents themselves. It is the fact that we are no longer shocked. Yet the data has long shown that these are not mere sporadic incidents.

In the railway sector alone, dozens of accidents have occurred in recent years, dominated by issues with facilities and infrastructure.

Based on data from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), there were 126 aircraft accidents in Indonesia during the period from 2011 to 2020. In addition, serious incidents recorded in the same period numbered 222 cases.

PT Jasa Raharja (Persero) Tbk records that every hour, two or more people die due to traffic accidents in Indonesia. This situation makes traffic accidents the leading cause of death, even globally.

Based on a study conducted by that state-owned enterprise, the number of fatalities from traffic accidents in 2021 reached 25,000 people.