TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Commission VI at the House of Representatives (DPR) plans to summon stakeholders that are suspected to be involved in the mass delays experienced by Lion Air, which caused the mass-stranding of countless passengers, as well as damages to facilities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, as well as several adjudicators and consumer protection agencies.
"We want an explanation as well as a possible solution - especially from the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) - in relation to how to best protect consumers from incidentals which stems from the negligence of a particular party," said a member of DPR's Commission VI, Bambang Harjo, to the press in Surabaya on Tuesday, February 24, 2015.
According to Bambang, BPKN needs to be at the frontline of the fight for consumer rights, and needs to be able to represent passengers to seek out information and damages - even going as far as launching a class-action lawsuit, should the need arises.
"Passengers could file a class-action lawsuit by proxy of BPKN if they believe that they need to seek out damages as a result of the mass delays," said Bambang.
The Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) politician also explained that refunding the tickets of affected passengers does not mean that Lion Air could walk away from their responsibilities.
Bambang also said that Lion Air failed to inform passengers with credible and valid information regarding the delay at least 45 minutes before their scheduled departure time, and should have compensated all affected passengers by providing accommodation to those affected by the delays - in accordance to the Law on Aviation as well as Consumer Protection.
ANTARANEWS