TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said that there is a possibility to relocate settlements located near the ammunition depot in Ciangsana Village, Bogor Regency, West Java.

"Yes, there is a possibility (of relocation)," Maruli confirmed in Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in response to the fire and explosion that engulfed the depot on Saturday.

"We are still discussing the technicalities (of possible relocation). We were able to overcome this disturbance, so we will discuss whether it’s possible for (residents) to not feel disturbed by all kinds of sounds (by the depot)," he explained.

Maruli said that the location of the ammunition depot has been unchanged since 1987. According to him, the residential complex was the one being built near the depot. "We have been here since a long time ago. But we will continue to evaluate the situation since military complexes approach civilian neighborhoods too," he added.

Although the current location of the ammunition depot is close to residential areas, Maruli emphasized that security is adequate. "It's adequate, but we will evaluate the risks and disturbances (felt by residents)," he said.

Previously, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto revealed that based on a temporary hunch, the cause of the fire at Kodam Jaya's Gudmurah in Ciangsana Village, Bogor Regency, was due to sensitive expired ammunition.

"For now, it’s possible (the fire) was caused by expired munitions," Agus Subiyanto said on Sunday in Bogor Regency, West Java.

Agus explained that expired ammunition is relatively sensitive or unstable so that when exposed to friction or heat it can easily explode.

"That's why we have a standard operating procedure to have the storage underground," he explained.

Nevertheless, he said that the military was still looking for the exact cause of the fire that hit the ammunition depot.

"Yes, we are still looking for the cause. However, it’s possible that the fire was caused by friction," he said.

ANTARA

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