KSAD Reveals Alleged Sabotage to Remove Bailey Bridge Bolts at the Sumatra Disaster Site

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Army (KSAD) General Maruli Simanjuntak revealed an attempt to sabotage the bailey bridge installed in the disaster area. The bolts of the bridge were reported to have been removed by irresponsible people, a condition that was considered dangerous for residents and potentially hindering access to the affected locations.

"In a disaster situation like this, there are still people who try to sabotage the bailey bridge. The bolts were dismantled," General Maruli told reporters at the Halim Perdanakusumah Disaster Integrated Post, Jakarta, Monday, December 29.

He said the incident occurred two days ago. According to him, there is already photographic evidence and the bolts are seen moving.

General Maruli emphasized that the TNI AD worked day and night to reopen access to the affected area. The bridge construction was carried out with a three-shift system - morning, afternoon, and evening - so that the target could be achieved quickly.

Until now, out of a total of 44 bailey bridges, 12 units have been completed, 6 units are being installed, and 15 units are on their way to the location. The rest are still in the collection stage.

In addition to bailey, the TNI AD also built an armco bridge at 47 points. Of these, 6 points have been completed, 3 points are in the installation process, while the others are still in the process of delivery. The construction of suspension bridges is also continuing to support the mobility of residents and logistics transportation. Currently there are 11 suspension bridges, with 3 units being installed.

General Maruli said the President through the Ministry of Defense was also trying to procure 100 units of bailey bridges from abroad to support disaster management and national reserves.

He assessed the act of removing the bridge bolts as a serious act. "If it makes the community miserable, it is not conditioning. It is barbaric," he said.

Apart from the construction of the bridge, the TNI AD continues to send doctors, open health posts, distribute clean water, and send logistics ships periodically to the disaster site. General Maruli assessed that the handling of this disaster was one of the fastest in his entire service experience.