Legal expert Muhammad Zaki Mubarak views South Sumatra's ban on coal transport on public roads as potentially violating the Road Traffic and Transportation Law. He states the governor's instruction could face legal challenges. The policy risks disrupting national energy supplies.
Muhammad Zaki Mubarak, a legal expert from Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, has criticized the South Sumatra policy banning coal transport on public roads. He argues that as long as vehicles comply with technical requirements such as tonnage limits, a total ban contradicts Law Number 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation.
"As long as coal transport vehicles meet technical requirements, including not exceeding the regulated tonnage limit, they cannot be outright banned from public roads. The governor's total ban instruction potentially conflicts with norms in the Road Traffic Law," Zaki said on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Zaki highlighted that coal is a vital commodity for national energy needs, including steam power plants (PLTU), as regulated by the Mining Law. He noted the local policy could clash with the central government's direction under President Prabowo Subianto to strengthen energy security.
He warned of potential disruptions to coal supplies for PLTU, affecting electricity availability for industry and the public. "If distribution is disrupted, it will not only impact industry but also the general public. Power outages or reduced energy supply will be consequences borne by the public," he added.
Zaki affirmed the policy can be legally challenged: via the State Administrative Court for administrative decisions or material review at the Supreme Court for governor's regulations.
