Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after a Visit to Temporary Shelters for Displaced Residents of the Exploding Plumpang Depot Fuel, at Rasela playground, Rawa Badak Selatan, North Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, March 5, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest condolences to the victims of Plumpang incident.

Second, I ordered Minister of State-owned Enterprises and Governor of Jakarta to seek solutions since the location is not safe and cannot serve as a residential area anymore. We might relocate the fuel depot to one of reclamation island or we might relocate the residents. I think it will be decided by Pertamina and Governor of Jakarta.

Nevertheless, each and every other dangerous zones throughout the country must be evaluated and audited since it relates to people’s lives. I had ordered all ranks to do it.

Journalist
How about the aid for affected residents, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Governor of Jakarta will take care of it.

Journalist
How long will it take to relocate, at most?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This will be decided within a day or two by Pertamina and Governor of Jakarta, so that the solution becomes clear.

Moreover, the zone should be a water zone. Whether a canal or a waterway is made to protect vital objects that we have since the objects are indeed very dangerous to be close to many people, especially to residential areas.

Journalist
Does it mean that all other vital objects, apart from here, will all be audited, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, I already ordered that.

Journalist
Sir, the regional government has proposed a plan to establish a 50-m buffer zone, that’s when you were in charge in Jakarta. Can you explain more about that plan?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
In the past, we already planned to build canals to separate the fuel depot with its surroundings, but we have not found the solutions for people who reside there. Tanah Merah area is dense and packed. Therefore, we must find a solution. I think public safety and security must become the priority.

Journalist
Mr. Jokowi, can the residents remain here if the fuel depot is already relocated?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We will discuss it further, there are options and alternatives. Will the fuel depot be relocated? Will the residents be relocated? If yes, how about the relocation land? Still, we need to find a solution immediately.

Journalist
Thank you, Sir.

(GWH/LW)