Kawendra Lukistian, a member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Gerindra faction, has raised serious concerns regarding the tragic train accident at East Bekasi Station, Bekasi City, which claimed over a dozen lives and left dozens more injured.
Expressing his deepest condolences for the incident that occurred on Monday night (April 27), Kawendra emphasized the gravity of the tragedy. “The train accident tragedy that claimed 16 lives and injured dozens of others is truly heart-wrenching. We pray that the victims find peace and that those injured are granted strength during this difficult time,” Kawendra stated in an official release on Tuesday (April 28).
Reflecting on the long-term transformation of the Jabodetabek rail service, Kawendra shared his personal perspective as a frequent commuter between 2006 and 2010. Having witnessed the evolution of PT KAI firsthand, he expressed frustration that such progress could be compromised by outside factors.
“As a loyal user of the Jabodetabek train service during the 2006-2010 era, I witnessed the long and difficult transformation PT KAI underwent to become what it is today. This immense dedication to improving national services must not be undermined by the negligence of external parties,” he remarked.
Demands to Revoke Green SM’s Operating License
Kawendra specifically highlighted the alleged involvement of Green SM, an electric taxi service, as the initial trigger for the multi-train collision. He noted that there have been several public complaints regarding the company’s vehicles.
“After examining the facts on the ground, I am focusing on the involvement of Green SM taxis as the primary catalyst. This is not just an isolated incident; there have been several reports of these vehicles stalling at railway crossings, along with numerous public complaints,” he said.
Based on these findings, Kawendra called on the government to take decisive action against the taxi operator. “It is not an exaggeration to ask the government to evaluate and revoke the operating license of this Vietnamese-based taxi company,” he asserted firmly.
The accident in East Bekasi reportedly began when a taxi stalled on the tracks at the Jalan Ampera crossing and was struck by a Jakarta-bound KRL Commuter Line. This initial collision caused a Cikarang-route KRL, which had just finished boarding passengers, to be held at Bekasi Kota Station. Consequently, this stationary KRL was rear-ended by the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train heading toward Surabaya.
Currently, the Ministry of Transportation and relevant authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the exact cause of the pile-up.
Response from Green SM
In response to the tragedy, the electric taxi company Green SM expressed its heartfelt condolences to the victims of the collision involving the Argo Bromo Anggrek and the KRL at East Bekasi Station.
The company stated that the investigation process is still ongoing and that no final conclusions have been reached regarding the cause of the accident. “Green SM continues to coordinate with the relevant authorities by providing all necessary information and supporting the ongoing investigation,” a company spokesperson stated.
Summary
Kawendra Lukistian, a member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives, has expressed his deepest condolences following a tragic train accident at East Bekasi Station that left 16 people dead and dozens injured. The incident was triggered when an electric taxi operated by Green SM stalled on the railway tracks, causing a KRL commuter train to collide with the vehicle, which subsequently led to a pile-up involving the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train.
In response to the tragedy, Kawendra has urged the government to conduct a rigorous safety review and revoke Green SM’s operating license, citing reports that the company’s vehicles have frequently caused issues at railway crossings. The Ministry of Transportation and relevant authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the exact cause of the accident. Meanwhile, Green SM has stated that it is cooperating with the authorities and is awaiting the official investigation results regarding the incident.