Tears of Terra Drone Boss in Court, Apologises for Deaths of 22 Victims in Fire

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The President Director of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wishnu Wardhana, expressed his apologies to the parents of the victims who died in the office fire.

The apology was delivered during the third hearing of the Terra Drone office fire case at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

The hearing featured Michael Wishnu as the defendant and the victims’ parents as witnesses in the case of the fire that killed 22 people on 9 December 2025.

This direct apology was the first one made by Michael Wishnu to the victims’ families.

“I wish to convey my deepest condolences and apologies for this incident,” Michael stated in the opening of his apology.

He said that the office fire brought sadness and a heavy burden to the entire PT Terra Drone Indonesia family.

This was because Terra Drone had to lose 22 employees who died in the fire.

“In light of this empathy, we are trying to alleviate the burden on all of you. However, please understand that we have limitations,” he said.

He then conveyed that if the families needed compensation in the future that could be fulfilled by the company, they should communicate it promptly.

“Currently, what comes to mind for me is to form a scholarship team for the families left behind if they have children. And for compensation, communication will continue,” he said.

Michael also promised to improve communication with the victims’ families.

Particularly for those handling compensation for their families. He also apologised if communication between the victims’ families and company management had previously been difficult.

After delivering the apology, Michael shook hands with the parents of the victims who were present as witnesses in the trial.

Among them were handshakes with Mimi Adriani Nasution, the mother of the late Raihansyach Pinago Sipahutar, and Mulyati, the mother of the late Muchamad Apriyana.

Raihansyach and Apriyana were two employees of PT Terra Drone Indonesia who died in the office fire.

After shaking hands with the parents, Michael returned to his seat and was seen wiping his eyes with a tissue.

Michael Wishnu’s legal counsel, Triana Seroja Dewi, said that her client’s apology was the first one delivered directly to the victims’ families.

This was because Michael had only been able to meet the victims’ families on Wednesday.

“Because he was detained the day after the incident, so he couldn’t meet the families. So, all of that happened today,” Triana said after the hearing.

“So, the direct apology is also only today. That’s why Mr Mike (Michael Wishnu) was a bit emotional. Previously, it had been conveyed in writing or via messages,” she continued.

Triana said that her client cried because he was close to the deceased employees.