Five Dead, Minister AHY Orders Immediate Investigation into KM Mutiara Sentosa Fire

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has ordered an immediate investigation into the fire aboard the KM Mutiara Sentosa in waters north of Madura. AHY expressed his condolences and deep concern over the incident.

“The government will immediately launch an investigation, because we must know precisely what caused the incident,” AHY said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday (3/8/2026).

Regarding maritime transport safety, he emphasised the importance of re-examining aspects of vessel condition, human resources related to crew and passengers, and weather. “The investigation will be carried out by KNKT, the National Transportation Safety Committee, and it will take time to explain to all of us what the cause was,” he said.

AHY expressed hope that all victims would receive the best possible care. At the same time, the government will promptly investigate to determine the exact cause of the incident whilst ensuring that passenger safety remains the top priority in the provision of maritime transport.

In response to the incident, he said the Ministry of Transport, through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation and together with the Search and Rescue (SAR) team, will continue to ensure the evacuation process and verification of passenger data.

“In general, firstly, the Ministry of Transport, in this case the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, is still verifying the passenger data from the evacuation, working together with the SAR team and patrol vessels,” he said.

AHY asserted that safety must be the top priority in maritime transport. According to him, the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), fixed procedures (protap), weather mitigation, and the assurance of vessel seaworthiness must be continuously strengthened so that similar incidents do not recur.