Jakarta
The national aviation industry is once again in mourning after Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182, serving the Jakarta-Pontianak route, crashed in the Java Sea near Thousands Islands regency on Jan. 9. The plane was carrying 56 passengers and 6 crew members when the tragedy occurred. In connection with the accident, it must be pointed out that the victims’ families have a right to compensation. The government should uphold this right through exercising partiality for the victims and assure the transparency of the process in the highly regulated industry. President Joko Widodo’s instruction thus far reflects this approach and its implementation must be closely watched. Aviation laws around the world do their best to try and protect passengers as the weakest party in the equation, and by extension, their next of kin. One means to do this is by regulating plane crash compensation....