Editorial
Blaming bad weather for an island-wide power outage that left millions in the dark, state electricity monopoly PLN has proved it is quick to collect payments and fine customers but utterly powerless when it comes to accountability.
A vendor prepares drinks for customers in the dim light of candles on May 23, 2026, during a power outage in Nagari Kasang, Padang Pariaman regency, West Sumatra. (Antara/Fitra Yogi)
State electricity firm PLN needs to come up with a more sensible excuse than simply "bad weather" for the massive power outage on May 22 that crippled multiple provinces across Sumatra. The public is rightfully outraged: The company’s flimsy explanation treats consumers like easily deceived fools.According to the public utility, the disruption originated on the 275 kilovolt Muara Bungo-Sungai Rumbai transmission network in Jambi. Yet the province reported no major natural disasters, such as flooding or earthquakes, at the time.
If true, it is deeply alarming that minor weather issues can collapse the island’s second-largest power grid, affecting Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi and parts of South Sumatra. Even laypeople can deduce that the true culprits are poor maintenance and low-quality materials.
