Investigation on Balikpapan refinery fire not yet completed

Four months have passed since the explosion and fire in state oil firm Pertamina's Balikpapan II oil refinery plant in August, but the police have not yet completed investigation against the incident. The police still did not know which Pertamina employees should be held responsible for the explosion.

The head of the East Kalimantan's Detective Unit, Chief Commissioner Herry Heryanto, said on Friday (Jan. 12) had repeatedly sent letters asking Pertamina to present its employees responsible for maintaining the piping, but so far, the state oil firm seemed reluctant to present the names.

"To summons a witness, we must know his or her name what his or her position. We have asked Pertamina several times, but have not been answered," he said.

Based on the police's forensic investigation, the police found the fire came from a gas explosion at a bending pipe that spread to other areas. And after further investigation, the police found that the pipe that exploded had been corroded.

"Those vital pipes must need routine maintenance. We want to know exactly who are responsible for maintaining those pipes, and when the lost maintenance service was conducted," he said.

Investigations into the explosion and fire at Pertamina was necessary to know if the fire and explosion was a result of sabotage or not.

During the fire, the maintenance of the Balikpapan II refinery plant was entrusted to PT Elnusa Elektro Eknika (EPT), a partnership between Pertamina and former president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra. Elnusa also monopolized the maintenance of Pertamina's six other refineries. (*)