Employees Hope Terra Drone Boss Will Be Acquitted in Office Building Fire That Killed 22 Workers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Risakti, Head of the Survey Division at PT Terra Drone Indonesia, hopes that Michael Wishnu Wardhana, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT Terra Drone, will be acquitted in the office building fire case that killed 22 workers.

“If it’s up to me, I want him to be acquitted. But if the panel of judges hands down the lightest possible sentence, we will accept it, depending on what the law says,” Sakti said when approached at the Central Jakarta District Court after the reading of Michael Wishnu Wardhana’s plea on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

“We believe Mr Michael is a very responsible person. So perhaps to the panel of judges, we urge leniency,” he added.

He also emphasised that hundreds of Terra Drone Indonesia employees still need Michael’s presence to lead the company actively.

“There are around 300-odd Terra Drone employees who are adrift and need Mr Michael’s input,” Sakti said.

“I also acknowledge there were mistakes. We are saddened that a colleague died. But still, the others need the economic livelihood as well,” he asserted.

Sakti disclosed that around 50 Terra Drone Indonesia employees attended the pleo-reading hearing for Michael at the Central Jakarta District Court to offer direct support.

According to him, those present came from the Bandung and Jakarta offices, consisting of 36 from Bandung and 14 from Jakarta.

Before Michael Wishnu read his plea, the employees briefly greeted him and offered their support.

Despite attending the hearing, Sakti confirmed that the employees continue to work remotely.

“They still work, albeit in their spare time. We still make time for Mr Michael,” he said.

However, the company faces obstacles due to the absence of a senior leader.

“Operationally, it’s like a ship that is adrift. The vessel can still stay afloat, but there is no captain,” Sakti explained.