TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Chief of Commission VII at the House of Representatives (DPR) Herman Khaeron regretted the oil spill case in Balikpapan Bay which allegedly due to Pertamina negligence.

“In my opinion, this [oil spill] caused by Pertamina negligence,” said Herman in the commission’s meeting room, Parliament building, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 10.

Herman stated, according to the report, the incident was first detected on Saturday, March 31 at 03:00 local times and followed by the fire at around 10:00 which claimed five lives of fishermen.

Pertamina, Herman went on, should have had enough time to take protection measure in the area based on emergency response procedure.

Read: Pertamina Denies Negligence over Oil Spill in Balikpapan

and: Pertamina Oil Spill Due to Cracked Underwater Pipeline

“They have seven hours, that should be enough time to take every measure of protecting the spill area. This is odd. Pertamina should have known such quick response,” he said.

Furthermore, Herman deplored that Pertamina claimed to lost 40,000 barrel of crude oil two days after the incident on Tuesday, April 3, which the spill due to a broken of underwater pipeline along Lawe-lawe terminal at the North Penajam Paser to Pertamina’s Balikpapan refinery.

Pertamina processing director Toharso explained the late report on oil spill was due to low visibility of waters in the bay which he asserted that his staff had to thoroughly examine the 3.6-kilometer underwater pipeline to find the crack.

“We have reported Criminal Directorate of Balikpapan Police that the water visibility was only in 50 centimeters,” Toharso claimed. He ensured to soon affirm the cause of oil spill after the investigation completes.

ADAM PRIREZA