Three arrested over crane collapse
Evi Mariani, Jakarta
Police have arrested three managers of a construction firm for criminal negligence after a crane collapsed in the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) in South Jakarta on Monday, killing three workers and injuring three others.
"Our suspects are J, the equipment manager; BU, the site manager; and R, the supervisor (of the construction work)," Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang said on Thursday.
They will be charged with Article 359 of the Criminal Code for negligence causing death and face a maximum of five years jail.
Police arrested the three after questioning seven employees of the PT Pembangunan Perumahan (PP) construction company about the accident.
"The three (suspects) should have made sure their workers were wearing safety equipment, including safety ropes around their waists," Salempang said. "But they neglected this procedure."
Law No. 13/2003 on manpower rules all companies must have a health and safety system integrated into their management operation.
PT Jamsostek insurance company data shows 103,804 work-related accidents took place in 2002, and 104,774 in 2001 nationwide.
The victims had been working for the SCBD Suites development project when their crane collapsed without warning. Daniel Tusubu, Aock Sirat and Sarkam died when they fell off the crane, three others, Wagimin, Rebo and Sugiyanto were injured.
Salempang said the police investigation had so far revealed that the crane had been in good condition and was being used normally before the incident took place.
"The crane, which belongs to PP, was checked by an authority in February. The report said it worked well," he said. Regulations required such equipment to be frequently checked every six months, he added.
Earlier, SCBD Suites construction project head Tumyono said PP would compensate the families of the victims. "We will give them compensation according to the law."
A security guard claiming to work for the SCBD management company had initially requested the press not write stories about the accident.