Minister to Evaluate KMP Mutiara Sentosa II Operator After Sumenep Fire

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi has affirmed that the government will carry out a thorough evaluation of the operator of the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II. The move follows a fire that broke out aboard the vessel in waters north of Sumenep, East Java.

Dudy explained that the evaluation process will begin as soon as the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) completes its investigation into the exact cause of the fire. The evaluation is a serious concern for the government, given that the vessel has reportedly experienced fire incidents on two separate occasions.

“We will evaluate, but the most important thing is to first look at the causes identified by the KNKT. This is a lesson learned for us and a basis for evaluating the company concerned,” Dudy said when giving a statement in Surabaya in the early hours of Monday (3/8).

Beyond focusing on the investigation into the cause of the accident, the Ministry of Transportation is currently prioritising the matching of manifest data with the number of victims successfully evacuated. This process is crucial because several rescue vessels are still en route to Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya.

The Transport Minister revealed discrepancies between the initial manifest data and the actual situation on the ground, triggered by several technical and administrative factors in the organisation of the sailing.

Dudy stressed that orderly manifest administration is not merely a formal procedure, but a vital instrument for guaranteeing the safety and rights of every passenger. He ensured that the identification process will continue until all passengers are properly and validly recorded.

The government hopes that the outcome of the KNKT investigation will provide strong technical recommendations so that similar incidents do not recur in the future, whilst also serving as the basis for sanctions or management improvements for the ship operator concerned.