Transport Minister emphasises safety as primary focus for national transport
In maintaining transport safety, the government, through the Ministry of Transportation, continues to strengthen regulations and safety standards.
Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - The Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purlagandhi, emphasised that transport safety is the primary focus to protect the public through the strengthening of regulations, operator supervision, continuous campaigns, and increased vigilance in facing the rainy season.
“In maintaining transport safety, the government, through the Ministry of Transportation, continues to strengthen safety rules and standards,” the Minister stated in Bandung, West Java, on Saturday.
He committed that safety must remain the main priority across all modes of transport.
He outlined several steps to enhance safety within the transport sector, including increased field inspections, supervision of operators, and enforcement against violations.
“In this way, all transport providers can operate with clear and measurable standards,” he said.
The Minister admitted that a formulation of transport management regulations is currently being drafted, specifically for public transport operators. These regulations will include mandatory assessments for public transport managers at both the director and commissioner levels.
He drew a comparison to financial institutions, where assessments are already implemented for directors and commissioners who hold control or oversight in the financial sector.
“We see that in the transport sector, particularly public transport where we are responsible to the users, we want to ensure that the providers or companies understand the aspects of safety,” the Minister noted.
To strengthen safety, particularly in maritime transport, regulations regarding freight, especially heavy goods, have now been tightened.
The Minister has instructed ship operators such as PT Pelni, PT Pelindo, and PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry to be more stringent regarding the transport of vehicles and heavy goods.
For ferry services, passenger transport is being separated from freight transport to maintain safety and security during crossings. The implementation of this rule is also part of the ‘Zero Over Dimension Over Load’ (ODOL) 2027 campaign.
“We have requested that this separation be implemented, such as at Ketapang Port. We must educate various parties so they understand that separation at ferry ports is for the sake of safety,” said the Minister.
As the rainy season approaches, the Minister warned that transport safety challenges are increasing, with higher risks of accidents and natural disasters.
Consequently, the Minister has reminded all officials within the Ministry of Transportation, from Echelon I to Echelon IV and the lowest levels, to remain vigilant during the rainy season.
With clear regulations and firm practices in the field, the Minister hopes that transport safety will become a shared culture.
Dudy also stated that safety is part of a campaign that must be communicated repeatedly and sustainably to all transport personnel, both within the Ministry of Transportation and among all transport stakeholders.
He reminded all transport personnel not to be complacent regarding any aspect of safety, as safety is a collective interest that must be maintained consistently.
In his view, even a single lost life is too many if safety is ignored. He emphasised that safety is not merely a jargon, a document, or an administrative task, but a culture that must be applied in every transport operation.
“It must become a culture, and personally, I view this as a matter of dignity; that safety is the dignity of transport personnel. When we speak of dignity, it is something that is non-negotiable,” said the Minister.