The Government Is Considered Not Serious In Handling ODOL Vehicles, Here's The Proof

ODOL truck (Photo; intermediate)

JAKARTA - The government is considered not serious in handling cases of over-dimensional over-load (ODOL) vehicles. In fact, the joint decree (SKB) related to Zero ODOL has been sticking out since 2019.

Transportation Observer who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for Transportation Studies (Instran) Deddy Herlambang assessed that the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) is one of the reasons why the Zero ODOL rule has not yet been implemented.

"Because, right, 2019 there has been a ban on ODOL (vehicles). However, because of objections from the Ministry of Industry, it has been pushed back until 2023. In 2023 it turns out that it is also not 0, it will continue to increase," said Deddy when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, February 5.

"That's why this is not true. How does this work? This is a matter of life, a matter of safety. If the government is serious, the error should be reduced," he continued.

Moreover, said Denny, President Prabowo Subianto himself has instructed the Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani to cut the budget in all ministries/agencies.

According to him, the government is increasingly not serious about dealing with ODOL vehicle problems.

"Especially now with the efficiency of the budget. If the budget for safety is crossed out, yes, the government is not serious about taking care of it," he said.

Denny assessed that the government cannot only focus on the free nutritious food program (MBG), but must be able to pay attention to the safety aspects of the community as well as on roads.

"Actually, if the government is serious, the safety (budget) should not be crossed out. (The budget) for free nutritious food is increased. Now why are healthy nutrition, but eventually die on the road too. It's useless to feed, but die on the road in vain," explained Denny.

"Going on a motorbike, being hit by a bus or an ODOL truck. Why do you give food? There should be more SKB, you have to immediately agree to Zero ODOL. Don't agree, keep going back and forth," he concluded.

Previously, a series of accidents occurred at the Ciawi 2 Toll Gate (GT), precisely on KM 41+400 of the Jagorawi Toll Road towards Jakarta, Tuesday night, February 4.

Shortly after the incident, officers from the Representative Office 1 Jasamarga Metropolitan Tollroad (JMT) as the manager of the Jagorawi Toll Road with Jasamarga Tollroad Operator (JMTO) and the police arrived at the location to provide security and immediately make traffic arrangements.

Senior Manager Representative Office 1 Jasamarga Metropolitan Tollroad Regional Division Alvin Andituakat Singarimbun said the traffic to GT Ciawi 2 had been diverted out through GT Bogor during security and evacuation at the scene.

"Since 02.00 WIB, two substations have been opened to be crossed and at 05.15 until now one automatic Toll Substation (GTO) and two Multi Toll Substations have been opened. Officers have also activated mobile reader to increase transaction capacity at GT Ciawi 2," said Alvin.