Indonesia's Transportation Minister mandates safety upgrades in Riau Islands

Indonesian Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi has issued new directives to enhance transportation safety across land, sea, and air modes in the Riau Islands province. During a meeting with technical implementation units in Batam on August 24, 2026, the Minister emphasized the strategic and busy nature of the region's maritime and aviation sectors.

Formalized under Minister of Transportation Instruction Number IM 3 of 2026, the measures include comprehensive and random inspections of vehicle and vessel seaworthiness before departure and arrival. The directive also mandates strict supervision of operator safety compliance, regular maintenance of transportation facilities, and periodic evaluations of infrastructure according to operational procedures.

Additionally, the Minister instructed officials to campaign for a safety culture through social media and direct education to improve public awareness and behavior. He stressed the importance of ensuring all crews hold proper competency certifications and that all stakeholders understand their safety responsibilities to prevent future accidents.