The Indonesian railway company, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Daop 7, has expressed deep regret over the unauthorized use of its land assets in Saradan District, Madiun, East Java, for karaoke venues and illicit “remang-remang” stalls. The company firmly stated that it has never granted permission or engaged in any form of cooperation for activities that violate both legal statutes and social norms.
Rokhmad Makin Zainul, Manager of Public Relations for PT KAI Daop 7 Madiun, emphasized this stance in response to the growing concern surrounding the state-owned enterprise’s land being exploited for such businesses. This issue gained particular urgency following a recent tragic incident where a karaoke hostess suffered seizures and subsequently died after consuming alcohol at one of these establishments on Monday, July 28, 2025.
“We unequivocally state that the company (PT KAI) has never provided authorization or any form of cooperation concerning the use of our land for activities that contravene the law and social norms. This includes such practices (karaoke venues and ‘remang-remang’ stalls),” Zainul reiterated on Thursday, July 31, 2025. He clarified that while some structures on the land indeed have active contracts with PT KAI, numerous others are in a “backlog” status, facing administrative or payment default issues.
Acknowledging the rampant growth of these problematic establishments on KAI’s property in Saradan, Zainul confirmed that PT KAI is prioritizing coordination with the Madiun Regency Government and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP). This collaboration aims to conduct direct field verification and determine the most appropriate course of action. “PT KAI is deeply concerned by the information circulating, especially regarding the social impact arising from these conditions. We take this matter seriously and are intensely coordinating with the local government, Satpol PP, and other relevant parties to conduct direct verification on the ground and establish suitable measures to address the situation,” Zainul affirmed.
Misuse of Function
Danny Yudi Satriawan, Head of the Regional Law Enforcement Division at Satpol PP Madiun Regency, further detailed the extent of the misuse. He revealed that numerous “coffee stalls” (warung kopi) built on KAI’s land are frequently repurposed for illicit activities. During raids, his team often uncovers prostitution rings operating within these very establishments.
“From a small and medium-sized enterprise (UMKM) perspective, they are just coffee stalls. However, looking at the misuse of their function, they have become precisely that (prostitution-linked stalls). This has been happening for a very long time,” Danny stated. He also indicated that there is information suggesting PT KAI intends to transfer or donate these land assets to the Madiun Regency Government after discontinuing rental contract extensions. “If they are later handed over to the Madiun Regency Government, we will clear them,” Danny asserted.
As previously reported, the tragedy involved a 24-year-old karaoke hostess identified by her initials RA, a resident of Indramayu, West Java. She was pronounced dead on Monday, July 28, 2025, after working at a karaoke venue in Saradan District, Madiun Regency, East Java. Prior to her death, RA had consumed alcoholic beverages with guests at her workplace on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Two days later, she began experiencing up to four seizures while receiving treatment at a public health center in Ngajuk Regency. When her condition did not improve, she was being transported to RSUD Caruban. Tragically, RA lost consciousness en route. She was then diverted to Saradan Public Health Center, where she was pronounced deceased on Monday, July 28, 2025. That same night, her body was immediately transported to her family’s home in Indramayu, West Java, for burial.
Kapolsek Saradan AKP Koco Widodo confirmed the death of the karaoke hostess, RA. However, the police have not yet determined the exact cause of death, especially since the victim’s body was swiftly transported to Indramayu Regency. “Officers have checked the location. Before she passed away, she was reportedly taken to Wilangan Public Health Center. As they might not have been able to handle it, the victim was then going to be rushed to RSUD Caruban, but she died midway,” Koco explained.
Ringkasan
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Daop 7 denies authorizing the use of its land in Madiun, East Java, for unauthorized karaoke venues and illicit activities. Following a karaoke hostess’s death after alcohol consumption at one of these establishments, KAI stated it never granted permission and is cooperating with local authorities to address the issue, including verifying land usage and taking appropriate action.
Numerous “coffee stalls” on KAI’s land are reportedly misused for prostitution, and KAI is considering transferring the land to the Madiun Regency Government. Local authorities are investigating the hostess’s death, though the exact cause remains undetermined due to the swift transportation of her body to her hometown for burial. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.