Endangering Lives, Farming Boss Who Flew Workers on Drone Apologises
Budianto (47), director of PT Bina Tani Makmur Jombang and owner of the TikTok account @mbahkaruhon.tiktok.com1, who uploaded a video of a farmer flying while carried by a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle, has issued an apology.
He apologised because the video he posted sparked public controversy. He also promised not to repeat the act, as it was deemed dangerous.
“Regarding the controversy over that video, I apologise to the entire public wherever they may be, and I will convey to my partners that such an act is very dangerous and will not be repeated,” said Budianto in an apology video.
Budianto stated that the video of the farmer being lifted by a large-capacity drone was not recorded in Kabuh, Jombang, East Java.
“Allow me to introduce myself, Budianto, commonly known on the TikTok account @mbahkaruhon, to clarify that the video of the farmer riding the drone that I uploaded was not made in the Kabuh area of Jombang,” he said.
The video showing a farmer being carried by a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle while travelling to and from plantation land went viral on social media.
Budianto initially revealed that the upload was merely intended as playful content.
The director of PT Bina Tani Makmur Jombang said the primary function of the large-capacity agricultural drone was to transport fertiliser, seeds and harvests.
“That was actually just for content. It was really just for fun,” said Budianto, a resident of Jombang, East Java, when confirmed by CNNIndonesia.com on Tuesday (7/7).
He said the drone is typically used to spray liquid pesticide and liquid fertiliser onto crops from above.
Budianto said the method is considered effective and efficient in assisting farmers’ work, especially on plantation terrain that is difficult to reach.
Occasionally, said Budianto, because the drone is capable of lifting loads of up to 150 kilograms, the unmanned aerial vehicle is also used to transport fertiliser and seeds.
Regarding the incident of the drone carrying a farmer, Budianto admitted it stemmed from his curiosity to test the aircraft’s lifting capacity, and was not planned as part of routine operations.
He also confirmed that only a small number of workers were ever carried by the drone, and that it was purely for entertainment, not a work transport method applied by his company.
“It was really just fooling around. ‘Let’s try this — can it carry me? You only weigh maybe 60 to 70 kilos to lift, yes it can get there,’” he said.