Responding To Smelter Explosion In Morowali, Anies: Work Safety Audit

Anies Baswedan visited Cimpago Beach, Padang West Sumatra recently. (Instagram @aniesbaswedan)

Presidential candidate (candidate) number 1, Anies Baswedan responded to the incident of a major explosion at the PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) smelter in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) area, Sunday, December 24.

According to Anies, the main thing that the government must do is audit the work safety of PT ITSS. Then, ensure that the workers who are victims receive compensation.

"In my opinion, audits. The safety of the work is audited, the work guarantee is audited. Then, ensure that the benefits given to the workers are received fairly," Anies told reporters in Pontianak, Tuesday, December 26.

Anies is of the view that work accidents can occur because the company does not have anticipation of accidents and does not prioritize the safety of its workers.

"If this happens because there is a missed plan, if there is no calculation of risk factors, then the responsible must get the same punishment," explained Anies.

"Sometimes a lot tries to think about, the important thing is the increasing advantages rather than thinking about work safety, and that has to be changed," he continued.

The explosion of a smelter stove belonging to PT ITSS in the Morowali Regency industrial area on Sunday (24/12) left 13 people dead, consisting of 4 foreign workers (TKA) from China and 9 Indonesian workers (TKI), while 39 people who were injured in the incident have received intensive care.

In addition, as many as 29 victims suffered serious injuries, 12 victims suffered moderate injuries, and five victims suffered minor injuries.

Head of the Media Relations Division of the Indonesian Region Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) Dedy Kurniawan said the management of PT IMIP had covered all costs of care and treatment for victims after the accident, as well as compensation for the families of the victims.

According to Dedy, the No. 41 on the burning 2nd floor, was initially still closed for maintenance operations.

When the stove was not operating and was in the process of being repaired, there were rest of the lag or terak in the stove that came out, then came into contact with flammable items at the location.

The walls of the stove then collapsed and the remaining iron leaks flowed out causing a fire. As a result, workers at the location suffered injuries to the death toll.