Expert testifies on overpass fall

Expert testifies on overpass fall

JAKARTA (JP): A Ministry of Public Works expert witness told
the West Jakarta District Court yesterday the fatal collapse of a
West Jakarta overpass was caused by the premature removal of the
bridge's bracings.

Mustazir, who is the ministry's head of bridges and buildings
under the Directorate General of Roads, gave a testimony similar
to earlier findings by a public works ministry team set up to
investigate the project built by PT Hanbo Bumi Karsa, a South
Korean-Indonesian joint venture.

Three workers were killed and 18 injured when the 500-ton
Grogol overpass collapsed on March 22.

Two South Korean engineers, the company's general
superintendent and his deputy, were allegedly responsible for the
tragedy and now being tried.

Mustazir said the removal of bracings could be done only if
the contractor ordered it.

But in this case it must have been done outside of standard
procedures, he said.

Mustazir said he did not know who ordered the bracings
removed.

The ministry's second witness, M. Tontro Prastowo, said the
defendant, BWL, ordered the removal. BWL is PT Hanbo's general
superintendent.

Tontro said the removal of the bracings was the contractor's
responsibility.

"But, it should be based on a written request from the
contractor to the consultant," he said.

The removal could be done only after the consultant consented,
he said.

"But the one who has the authority at the project site is the
general superintendent of the constructing company," Tontro said.

Asked why only the contractor was responsible, Tontro said the
the contract needed to be studied. (05)