"President Jokowi has instructed local and central governments regarding spatial planning together with the National Police (Polri) and the SOEs Ministry," Thohir informed at a press conference at the Pertamina Central Hospital in Jakarta on Saturday.
Looking at the current condition of national vital objects, Thohir said that the average buffer zone separating residential areas from fuel terminals and fuel refineries is too little.
"Pertamina's buffer zone from 1971 to 1987 was in a safe condition. However, after 1998, there were a lot of buffer zone losses. It did not only occur in Plumpang, but also in other areas," the minister noted.
He said two years ago, he had ever spoken with Pertamina, state-owned mining holding MIND ID, state-electricity company PLN, and state-owned fertilizer company Pupuk Indonesia about remapping the buffer zone in a safe manner.
If that is not possible, the minister informed that there is a relocation option that the companies can exercise. A suggestion for shifting Plumpang fuel terminal to Pelindo port was made two years ago, he added.
"For now, I think it is impossible for us to work alone. We need support from the regional government regarding this buffer zone and relocation. I think President Jokowi will make sure about this in the next few days regarding the medium- and long-term plan," Thohir added.
Earlier, he said he planned to rearrange the zoning locations in a number of national vital objects managed by SOEs. He informed that the rearrangement of national vital objects had to be done properly to prevent a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.
He informed that the rearrangement of national vital objects’ borders near residential housing must be carried out to prevent incidents such as the fire at Plumpang fuel terminal on Friday night.
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin also urged Pertamina to immediately find solutions for residential areas near fuel terminals and fuel refineries.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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