Cilacap Refinery Tank Fires, Special Staff Erick Thohir Asks Pertamina For A Total Evaluation

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) asked PT Pertamina (Persero) to conduct a thorough evaluation of the tank fire incident in the Cilacap Refinery area, Central Java a few days ago.

Special Staff to the Minister of SOEs Arya Sinulingga said that the Pertamina tank fire was not the first time. Therefore, his party asked Pertamina for comprehensive information on why the incident was repeated.

"So we ask for comprehensive information and also why it can be repeated. These are steps that must be carried out by Pertamina and also the evaluation must be total, everything must be evaluated," he told reporters, Tuesday, November 16.

According to Arya, a thorough evaluation at the Cilacap Refinery needs to be carried out. This is because the fire incident occurred more than once. Therefore, an evaluation must be carried out so that similar incidents do not recur in the future.

"So that incidents like this don't happen again. So this is a special evaluation for Cilacap and we hope that in the future there won't be another incident like this. We know that Pertamina is making improvements but don't let it happen again. So it must be evaluated, especially in Cilacap, " he said.

For your information, the 36 T-102 tank refinery containing the Pertalite component belonging to Pertamina Cilacap, Central Java, caught fire on Saturday, November 14, at 19.10 WIB, during heavy rain accompanied by lightning. There were no fatalities in this incident.

In an effort to investigate the cause of the fire, the National Police have deployed a team of Inafis and the Forensic Laboratory. Both teams will look for evidence and clues to conclude the cause of the fire.

Previously reported, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan suspected that the cause of the fire of Pertamina's 36 T-102 tank in Cilacap, Central Java, was a lightning strike. However, what Luhut said was still a conjecture and the truth needed to be investigated.

"That's because most likely because of the thunderstorm that was so extraordinary," said Luhut to reporters at Polda Metro Jaya, Monday, November 15.

Regardless of the suspected cause of the fire, Luhut highlighted the handling process. It is said, PT Pertamina has been quite good in the process of extinguishing and handling the impact of fires.

"But I think Pertamina will handle it very quickly," said Luhut.

In addition, with the occurrence of two tank fires in Cilacap and Balongan, an evaluation will be carried out. Moreover, PT Pertamina will also conduct an independent evaluation related to the series of fire events.

"Certainly, they (Pertamina) will evaluate themselves," said Luhut.