Puan Sindir Sorry KAI: Don't Just Gimmick, System Reform!

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (ANTARA/HO-DPR)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, responded to an open apology submitted by the President Director (Director) of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), Didiek Hartantyo for the incident of the downturn of KA 1 Argo Bromo Anggrek in Subang.

According to him, responsibility is not only to cover the body in public, but there needs to be real improvements in the system and management of national transportation.

"Apologies are good, but don't stop there. What the public needs is not just a symbol of empathy, but a concrete step to fix the system. Don't let this just become a gimmick," said Puan, Friday, August 8.

Puan assessed that the gesture of the President Director of KAI did not blame other parties for showing good leadership character. But it would be better if followed by efforts to improve the system.

"We need more leaders who dare to admit mistakes, not those who are busy looking for justification," he said.

"But public trust is not something that is given automatically, but must be fought for through transparency and responsibility," added the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan said that apologies are part of accountability, but the public is also waiting for comprehensive reform in the transportation sector, including improving Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), mitigating accident risk, and improving service quality.

"Not only the train that must return to the rails, but also the people's trust must also be able to return. It cannot be built only with words, but with a comprehensive improvement and responsible attitude," said Puan.

Therefore, Puan encourages evaluation of coordination between rail operators and regulators. Puan emphasized that communication gaps and weak technical supervision can be the root of problems that need to be resolved.

"The lack of coordination can trigger fatal negligence. Therefore, after an apology, what must be done is to sit down together to overhaul the existing transportation system," he said.

Puan also emphasized the importance of technological and digitalization updates in the train travel monitoring and control system, so that potential disturbances can be detected early and responses can be carried out quickly and coordinated.

"The safety of passengers is the main thing. We can no longer rely on manual systems. Public safety demands speed, transparency, and qualified technology," he concluded.

As is known, KAI President Director Didiek Hartantyo apologized for the incident of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, the Surabaya Pasarturi-Gambir relationship, which crashed at Pagedenbaru Station, Subang Regency, West Java, last Friday, August 1.

Didiek even showed his bowing gesture when conveying his apology, along with his staff who accompanied him during a press conference.

As a result of the accident, as many as 440,000 ticket owners canceled their departure. As a form of accountability, KAI will return their money.

In the aftermath of the drop in the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, 17 train trips were canceled. The next day 54 trips also experienced delays.