Relocation Sought in Aftermath of Deadly Oil Depot Fire

Within the next two days the government will decide whether to move people from their residential area or relocate the Pertamina Plumpang Depot in North Jakarta.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Aerial photo of a resident's residence that was burned due to a fire at the Pertamina Plumpang Depot Integrated Fuel Oil Terminal on Jalan Tanah Merah Bawah, Rawabadak Selatan Village, Koja District, North Jakarta, Saturday (4/3/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government is studying these two relocation options with a view to preventing a repeat of the recent deadly fire at the Integrated Fuel Oil Terminal in Plumpang, North Jakarta, operated by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina. The disaster claimed several lives. The relocation plan is actually not new with it having been raised following a similar incident in 2009, but had never been realized until the more serious tragedy occurred on Friday night (3/3/2023).

When visiting the depot fire victims sheltering at the Rasela integrated child-friendly public space, North Jakarta, on Sunday (5/3), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reiterated his instruction for a solution to be found immediately. The options have been put forward on the grounds that a dangerous zone can no longer be in a residential area.

“This indeed is a dangerous zone. It can no longer be lived in. There must be a solution. It could be that the Plumpang [depot] moves out or the residents are relocated," the President said.

He said he had asked State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir and acting Jakarta governor Heru Budi Hartono to look into the given options for immediate solution.

Also read:

> Optimal Protection for National Vital Objects

“Dangerous zones, here is not the only one, must be audited and evaluated because they threaten lives. I have already imparted all this [to aides]," he said.

When asked about the relocation plan, President Jokowi said the matter would be decided within a day or two by Pertamina and the acting Jakarta governor.

“This [residential] settlement should have been in a water zone, either in the form of a canal or else to protect us from [potential danger at] our vital assets. The items inside are very dangerous for people to get too close to, especially in residential areas," Jokowi said.

Meanwhile, when inspecting the post-fire location on Saturday (4/3), Vice President Ma'ruf Amin pointed out the urgency for reorganization of the Plumpang depot, including the alternative of moving the depot to the Tanjung Priok Port area. "I hope for this depot to be safer it will be relocated to the port area, in Pelindo’s area," said the Vice President, referring to the port administrator.

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

President Joko Widodo gives a press statement at the Rasela Child-Friendly Integrated Public Space in Jakarta, Sunday (5/3/2023). The Head of State asked that a solution be found immediately after the fire at the Pertamina Depot in Plumpang, Jakarta.

Clarity

Some residents impacted by the depot fire said they were prepared for government-administered relocation with them having no choice of where to live. However, they wanted clarity about what the relocation program would look like because they were worried about incurring an extra burden.

“If we are relocated to a new place, we will [take it] as long as the place is proper and suitable. I have no choice, the house has been destroyed, and my relatives are far from here," said Agus, 26, a resident of RT 006/RW 006 neigborhood, Rawa Badak subdistrict, Koja, North Jakarta.

If we are relocated to a new place, we will [take it] as long as the place is proper and suitable.

Others wish to stay in their current neighborhood, hoping that PT Pertamina will give in and move the depot. If they are to be relocated, they are worried about being offered a move into apartments. “We live here in a rented house at low rates. Living in an apartment must be expensive. As a scrap collector, [I] definitely can't afford it," Neni, 50, a resident of RT 012/RW 009 neighborhood in Rawa Badak, said.

Neighborhood unit head Abdus expressed his hope that the government would opt to move the Pertamina depot, saying that its presence in the middle of a dense residential settlement was very dangerous.

"Around the depot, there are six affected RWs [neighborhood units]. I have heard that Pertamina owns land elsewhere. For the sake of the people, it should just give in," he said.

Also read:

> 17 Killed in Plumpang Fuel Terminal Fire

Regarding the relocation plan, Pertamina's vice president for corporate communications Fadjar Santoso said he would coordinate with the residents and related parties. He added that Pertamina would follow government policy.

Meanwhile, urban spatial planning observer Nirwono Yoga said the option of relocating residents would be most likely to be taken considering that the government would find it logistically difficult to move the depot location.

“Although in Tanjung Priok [Pertamina] has a plot of land, located away from residential settlements, it would definitely take time [for the construction] and require a hefty sum. In the midst of the current difficult economic conditions, I think it would be an unlikely choice [to take]," he said.

Fellow urban planning observer Yayat Supriatna said that whatever option was taken, the government would need to talk with residents and listen to their aspirations.

ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Four men pass through the rubble of a burnt house on Jalan Tanah Merah Bawah, Rawa Badak Selatan, Koja, North Jakarta, Saturday (4/3/2023).

Death toll increases

The death toll from the fire has increased. Pertamina disclosed that at least 19 victims had died with 40 injured as of Sunday.

Injured victims are being treated at 10 hospitals, including Tugu Koja Hospital, Harbor Hospital and Pertamina Hospital (RSPP). Theryoto, Pertamina Hospital’s deputy director for nursing, said they were still treating 24 patients, 13 of whom were in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Postmortem identification is still ongoing. By Sunday, the Police Hospital in Kramatjati had received 15 bodies, nine men, six women and a collection of body parts.

National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ahmad Ramadhan said, while the hospital had taken the DNA of the corpses, only 14 had been identified by their relatives.

Also read:

> Thorough Investigation Called for in Pertamina Refinery Fire

Apart from the dead and those currently being treated for their injuries, 423 residents have been affected by the incident and are taking shelter at two places. The Rasela shelter is currently home to 300 victims and the rest have been evacuated to the North Jakarta Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) headquarters.

When visiting the evacuees, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said he would prioritize addressing the needs of women, children and the elderly.

Aid packages continue to be channeled by the government through the Social Affairs Ministry, in coordination with military and police personnel. Muhadjir said his ministry was filing data on the victims’ needs for compensation purposes.

423 residents have been affected by the incident and are taking shelter at two places.

Apart from physical injuries, some of the evacuees have suffered psychological shocks. One of them is Sabar, 56, a resident of RT 012/RW 009 neighborhood in South Rawa Badak. He not only incurred an injury to his right leg, but also experienced trauma. After the incident that completely gutted all his possessions, Sabar said he had trouble sleeping, with his mind being forced to think about how to start life again.

Asra'I,44, another resident, admitted that he often found himself being scared, worried that another explosion would occur, especially when he smelt gasoline.

Recalling the incident, he said the permeating smell was very strong and suffocating. He still suffers a sore throat and coughs even though he has been examined and given medicine.

Fear and sadness also grip the affected children. Fahmi, 10, and Embun, 9, said the incident, in which they tearfully tried to look for cover, kept haunting them. (Z17/Z06/Z07)

This article was translated by Musthofid.