Judge: Terra Drone Boss Commits Gross Negligence, Ignores Six K3 Occupational Safety and Health Aspects

Judges said that the defendant’s act amounted to gross negligence rather than intent. The defendant did not intend for the fire to occur, but for more than two years he had used the building without meeting K3 standards, despite knowing the potential danger; this was not a momentary lapse but systemic neglect lasting over a long time,” said judge Sunoto as he read the verdict at the Central Jakarta District Court, on Thursday (21 May 2026).

“22 victims who were employees of PT Terra Drone were alive at the time of the fire but could not escape,” the judge stated. The judge said Michael had rented the office building for more than two years but did not provide K3 facilities in accordance with standards.

“Proving that all the victims were still alive when the fire occurred but could not escape, this is the strongest causal evidence that is undeniable,” he said.

The judge also found that Michael was aware of the potential danger of LiPo drone batteries and the unsafe condition of the building. The judge opined that Michael acted indifferently toward these issues.

“From the defendant’s inner attitude, he knew of the dangers of LiPo batteries as well as the unsafe condition of the building, yet he remained indifferent. That mental attitude does not reflect the responsibility that a company leader should have for the safety of his employees,” he said.

The judge noted that Michael had neglected six K3 aspects that should have been fulfilled. Among them were the absence of a fire detector, a smoke detector, emergency stairs, evacuation routes, an appropriate type of fire extinguisher (APAR), and no fire drill conducted at the Terra Drone office building in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

“Neglect was carried out comprehensively across the six K3 aspects simultaneously: no fire detector, no smoke detector, no emergency stairs, no evacuation routes, no appropriate type of fire extinguisher (APAR), and no fire drill conducted at the Kemayoran office. This neglect lasted for more than two years continuously,” the judge said.

Earlier, Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian was sentenced to 1 year 4 months in prison. The judge stated that Michael had been guilty of negligently providing Occupational Safety and Health (K3) facilities in the Terra Drone office fire that killed 22 people.

“To try the defendant Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian beyond reasonable doubt to be guilty of negligence resulting in the death of others,” said the presiding judge Purwanto S Abdullah when reading the verdict at the Central Jakarta District Court, on Thursday (21 May).

“Sentencing the defendant to a prison term of 1 year and 4 months,” added the judge.

The judge stated that Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian violated Article 474 paragraph 3 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Penal Code as stated in the primary indictment.

“Also watch the video ‘Terra Drone Boss Suspect in Fatal Fire Sentenced to 1 Year 4 Months in Prison’”

(mib/ygs)