Expert testifies on overpass fall<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A Ministry of Public Works expert witness told
\nthe West Jakarta District Court yesterday the fatal collapse of a
\nWest Jakarta overpass was caused by the premature removal of the
\nbridge's bracings.<\/p>\n
Mustazir, who is the ministry's head of bridges and buildings
\nunder the Directorate General of Roads, gave a testimony similar
\nto earlier findings by a public works ministry team set up to
\ninvestigate the project built by PT Hanbo Bumi Karsa, a South
\nKorean-Indonesian joint venture.<\/p>\n
Three workers were killed and 18 injured when the 500-ton
\nGrogol overpass collapsed on March 22.<\/p>\n
Two South Korean engineers, the company's general
\nsuperintendent and his deputy, were allegedly responsible for the
\ntragedy and now being tried.<\/p>\n
Mustazir said the removal of bracings could be done only if
\nthe contractor ordered it.<\/p>\n
But in this case it must have been done outside of standard
\nprocedures, he said.<\/p>\n
Mustazir said he did not know who ordered the bracings
\nremoved.<\/p>\n
The ministry's second witness, M. Tontro Prastowo, said the
\ndefendant, BWL, ordered the removal. BWL is PT Hanbo's general
\nsuperintendent.<\/p>\n
Tontro said the removal of the bracings was the contractor's
\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n
\"But, it should be based on a written request from the
\ncontractor to the consultant,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The removal could be done only after the consultant consented,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"But the one who has the authority at the project site is the
\ngeneral superintendent of the constructing company,\" Tontro said.<\/p>\n
Asked why only the contractor was responsible, Tontro said the
\nthe contract needed to be studied. (05)<\/p>",
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