Investigate Early Floods, Will There Be Criminal Snares?

Evacuation of flood victims in Jakarta (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Floods that hit several areas of Jakarta in early 2020 attracted the attention of the police to conduct an investigation. Based on information, the alleged water suction pump malfunction was cited as the cause.

Head of West Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Sub-dept., Purwanti Suryandari, was one of those who was dragged down. Three days ago, to be precise, Monday, January 6, he was asked for clarification by investigators from the Subdit Resmob Polda Metro Jaya.

The reason was that the Daan Mogot area was quite badly flooded. In addition, from the information received, it was said that several drainage pumps around the location were not functioning.

If the water pump malfunction is true, will the police make charges using the Negligence Article? For information, in the case of someone's negligence that causes a fire or flood, prosecution can be carried out under Article 188 of the Criminal Code.

Article 188 of the Criminal Code reads: "Anyone who by mistake (negligence) causes a fire, explosion or flood, is punishable by a maximum imprisonment of five years or a maximum imprisonment of one year or a maximum fine of five hundred rupiahs, if for that act. a general danger arises for property, if because of that act there is a danger to the life of another person, or if the act results in death. "

However, it was confirmed whether the criminal article could later be suspected or not against those who were proven responsible for the flood incident in Jakarta, the Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Yusri Yunus, was reluctant to speculate on this matter. According to him, in tracing the allegations, investigators are still in the process of clarifying.

Meanwhile, if we talk about the alleged criminal article, it is said that it has entered the realm of investigation. So, Yusri also asked to give investigators time to explore these allegations.

"We are still clarifying it first. I don't want to talk too far (about the criminal article). It is still being clarified first. It is still under investigation. It has not been there yet," said Yusri to VOI, Thursday, January 9.

In addition, there has been no determination of a criminal offense to date because investigators are still calling on other related parties to provide clarification. If all the information has been collected later, it will be concluded whether or not there is a violation.

"Later we will see (the results of the investigation). There are several (related parties) that we will invite again for clarification. We will wait for the results," said Yusri.

Meanwhile, regarding the clarification on Purwanti Suryandari, it was emphasized that this was a follow-up to the information report that had been received. Thus, the summons or clarification agenda only aims to ensure the correctness of the information obtained.

"This is based on existing information, based on shared information that indeed on the last 1 (January) there were a number of places where there was malfunction regarding the existing water pump," said Yusri.

Previously reported, the invitation for clarification was registered with the number R / LI / 03 / I / 2020 / Ditreskrimum, January 2, 2020. On that occasion, Purwanti explained that his presence was to provide clarification to investigators about the malfunction of the water suction pump around Jalan Daan Mogot. , West Jakarta.

According to him, when the water from the Mookevart River had not yet overflowed, the water pump in the pump house was still functioning properly. However, when the water discharge got higher and finally overflowed, the pump generator set was submerged. So, at that time it was decided not to use it with considerations of safety factors.

"Before the runoff, the operating pump was not damaged, there were reports from the operator every hour. But after the runoff from the time it entered the pump house and soaked the panels or generators, how can the pump be turned on, electricity is dangerous," said Purwanti.

However, when the water began to recede, several suction pumps were immediately operated. He admitted that not all pumps were working, because some of them could not operate because they were submerged in floods.

"After low tide some pump houses operated immediately, but some were damaged and we immediately repaired it," said Purwanti.

For your information, the rain on December 31 2019 and January 1 2020 flooded the Daan Mogot road, West Jakarta. In fact, because the water is high enough, the traffic flow is cut off.

Several sections of the flooded road started at the Jelambar bus stop. The height of the water discharge ranges from 30 to 80 centimeters. In addition, the worst happened around the Indosiar studio to the Pesing flyover, where the water level reached about 1 meter.