Of course, we need investment, but investors must comply with existing regulations in Indonesia.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has urged smelter investors to ensure compliance with Indonesian regulations, citing the December 24, 2023, furnace explosion at a PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) factory.

The ITSS factory is located in Indonesia's Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), Morowali, Central Sulawesi.

While chairing a follow-up coordination meeting in Jakarta on Monday (January 15) on the handling of the furnace explosion at the factory, the minister asked the police, Industry Ministry, and Manpower Industry to carry out a review of labor compliance and regulations.

He said that the review must not be limited to the ITSS smelter, but also cover other smelters.

"This case must be supported by related ministries and institutions. Of course, we need investment, but investors must comply with existing regulations in Indonesia," he emphasized in a statement released by his ministry on Monday.

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment will also carry out a full investigation into the explosion, which claimed 20 lives.

"We must be firm in this investigation. If some parties need to be punished, then punish them. This incident should not happen again," Pandjaitan stressed.

During the same meeting, Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah said that there were indications of standard operating procedures (SOP) being violated and negligence in implementing Occupational Safety and Health requirements, which allegedly led to the furnace blast and fire at the factory.

"Besides using the Criminal Code, the police can also include the Employment Law to give a deterrent effect to the company," she advised.

In his report, the chief of Central Sulawesi Regional Police, Inspector General Agus Nugroho, said that the case has proceeded from the preliminary inquiry to the investigation stage, with witnesses summoned and evidence confiscated.

"We will conduct examinations of forensic expert witnesses and employment expert witnesses. We will also coordinate with the National Police's International Relations Division and the Chinese embassy, and coordinate with the public prosecutor and the company," Nugroho said.

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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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