Terra Drone chief’s sentence lower than prosecution’s demand; judge outlines considerations

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian, has been sentenced to one year and four months in prison in connection with the fire that destroyed Terra Drone Indonesia’s office building in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. The sentence is lower than the prosecutors’ demand.

‘Aggravating circumstances of the defendant’s negligence resulted in the deaths of 22 employees, which could have been prevented by complying with Occupational Health and Safety standards,’ said associate judge Sunoto when reading the verdict at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday (21 May 2026).

The judge said the aggravating factor was that Michael had full obligation to rectify the safety conditions of the building he had leased for more than two years. The judge also noted that Michael had the financial capacity to do so but did not use it.

‘The defendant had full authority and financial ability to improve the safety conditions of the building but did not utilise it,’ he added.

The judge said the mitigating factor was that Michael had expressed sincere remorse and apologised to the families of the victims. Moreover, Michael had no prior criminal record, had sought reconciliation with the families, and had provided compensation and scholarships for the children of the victims.

’The defendant’s failure to meet the standards for providing K3 facilities constitutes grave negligence rather than intent. The judge opined that Michael had neglected six aspects of K3 facilities during the two-plus years of leasing Terra Drone’s building in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

The judge stated that Michael had known the potential danger of storing lithium polymer drone batteries in the office building’s condition. The judge considered Michael’s funding of the victims’ funerals, arranging BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, providing compensation, and giving scholarships to the victims’ children as a form of moral responsibility.

The judge found Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian guilty of violating Article 474(3) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Penal Code as charged in the primary indictment.

Previously the prosecutor had demanded two years’ imprisonment for Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian, saying his negligence caused the deaths of 22 employees.

‘The court finds the accused Michael Wisnu Wardhana Siagian proven beyond reasonable doubt to have committed the offence by reason of his negligence resulting in the death of others, in violation of Article 474(3) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Penal Code as in the prosecutor’s first indictment,’ the prosecutor said when reading the charges on Monday (11 May).

‘Thus, punish the accused with imprisonment for two years, less the time already in custody. The accused shall remain in custody,’ the prosecutor added.