“I urge local leaders to be more proactive in ensuring the structural integrity of community buildings. Many of these are not government-funded projects but rather privately owned, communal, or community-built facilities, and they all need to be regularly monitored and reviewed,” AHY said on Monday, following a ministerial coordination meeting on the National Action Plan for tackling Overdimension and Overload (ODOL) vehicles in Jakarta.
AHY expressed his deep condolences for the tragedy, which claimed numerous lives, and emphasized the need for strict enforcement of construction standards that prioritize safety and security.
He noted that initial findings from the Public Works Ministry, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and the East Java provincial government indicated that the collapse was primarily due to substandard construction.
“The building was not structurally sound. It did not meet safety standards, and that’s what ultimately led to the collapse and the high number of casualties,” AHY explained.
He described the incident as a serious wake-up call for all stakeholders to be more disciplined in adhering to building codes, particularly for public facilities such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
AHY urged local governments to ensure that both privately owned and communal buildings meet technical requirements and are subject to routine inspections by relevant authorities.
He reiterated that public safety must be the top priority and called for comprehensive preventive measures, including audits and inspections of public facilities, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding building standards that ensure safety and structural integrity for all,” he added.
According to the latest data from Basarnas as of 7:00 p.m. local time on Monday (October 6), the collapse of the prayer hall at Al Khoziny boarding school has resulted in 63 confirmed fatalities, six of which involved dismembered remains.
Of the 167 people evacuated, 104 have been confirmed safe. Authorities estimate that around 10 more victims may still be trapped under the rubble, with search and rescue efforts ongoing.
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Translator: Muhamad, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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