“This issue has gained national attention and is now a specific priority for President Prabowo and the DPR,” Yudhoyono said.
He explained that ODOL vehicles pose serious threats to road safety, damage public infrastructure, and reduce logistics efficiency — factors that significantly affect Indonesia’s economy.
To tackle the problem, the government plans to fully enforce the zero-ODOL policy by January 1, 2027, without delay, as part of efforts to ensure safety and order in land transportation.
Yudhoyono urged all stakeholders to work together to implement the policy effectively and consistently, delivering real benefits for both the public and businesses.
He also called for a strong public communication strategy to prevent misinformation suggesting the policy is anti-driver or anti-small business.
“On the contrary, this is a solution to reduce traffic accidents,” he said.
In 2024, Indonesia recorded 150,906 traffic accidents, resulting in 26,839 deaths, with freight transport involved in about 10.5 percent of the cases.
Yudhoyono cited several challenges in curbing ODOL violations, including high logistics costs, weak supervision and law enforcement, conflicting interests between drivers and truck owners, low driver welfare, and illegal levies within the freight sector.
He noted that ODOL-related issues often surface in media coverage and public discussions, reflecting widespread concern.
Yudhoyono underscored that all parties share the same goal — addressing ODOL’s impact, which jeopardizes safety, damages roads, and increases the cost of distributing goods across regions.
Translator: Harianto, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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