Negligence of K3 standards becomes aggravating factor in Terra Drone CEO's sentencing

Jakarta – The Central Jakarta District Court said negligence and heedlessness were aggravating factors in the sentence for Michael Wisnu Wardana, the Chief Executive Officer of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, in relation to the provision of occupational safety and health (K3) facilities.

“The circumstances surrounding the defendant’s negligence resulted in the deaths of 22 employees, which could have been prevented by observing K3 standards,” said Judge Sunoto as the verdict was read in Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

The panel stated that the CEO had a full obligation to improve the safety conditions of the building leased for more than two years.

The judge noted that the defendant also had the financial means to carry out such improvements, but did not use them.

“The defendant had full authority and financial capacity to improve the building’s safety conditions but did not,” he said.

The judge said the mitigating factors included the defendant’s sincere remorse and apology to the victims’ families.

Furthermore, the defendant had no prior criminal record, had pursued reconciliation with the victims’ families, and had provided compensation and scholarships for the victims’ children.

“The defendant has not only provided compensation but also funded scholarships for the children of the victims left behind as a form of responsibility fulfilled,” he added.

Previously, the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced the Director to a term of 1 year and 4 months in prison in the Terra Drone building fire case that killed 22 people.

“The court finds Michael Wisnu Wardhana guilty of the crime, as his negligence caused the death of others. He is sentenced to 1 year and 4 months in prison,” said Chief Judge Purwanto S Abdullah when reading the verdict at PN Jakpus.