Letters: House's safety team

With wonder I read the article titled "House to form transportation safety team," (The Jakarta Post, Nov. 25) concerning the establishment of a transportation safety team by the House of Representatives.

As mentioned, the transportation safety team will be charged with the following tasks: to oversee mass transportation safety; ensure that operators comply with transportation laws; establish an inquiry committee (to reform the character and integrity of the transportation operators); oversee the inspections of transportation facilities (whether by the Transportation Ministry or by the safety team/committee), and promote better coordination between different institutions.

In most modern democracies, these abovementioned tasks are the responsibility of the Transportation Ministry, which is politically responsible and should brief the House concerning transportation-related accidents and other important government issues.

For the sub-sectors - road, sea and air - the minister is assisted in this task and responsibility by the respective directors general.

The specialized certified knowledge and required experience are concentrated within these ministerial sub-sectors. Which House members on this planned safety team and or committee match this specialized education and experience to enable them to inspect, lead and assess inspections and investigate accidents?

Why not, as in the case of marine accidents, let the maritime safety director within the directorate general for sea communications do his job and trust the investigation made by his specialist maritime investigators?

Why should a few good willing lawyers within the House want to do the same job with probably dubious results?

Why should the House spend extra effort, time and money doing a job that is the responsibility of the Transportation Ministry?

Would it not be more effective if the House were to, in the case of major accidents, summon the minister for clarification concerning the investigations and the outcome of same before a panel of inquiry of House Commission V? With respect I would suggest reconsidering or amending this plan in accordance with good governance and international best practice.

Jan R. Scheele
Cibinong, Bogor