Deadly Clash at PT GNI Smelter; Govt Calls for Full Investigation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, through a statement published on the Ministry’s website on Monday, deplores the deadly clash between workers at the Chinese nickel smelter firm PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (PT GNI) on Saturday. He called for an extensive investigation of the incident in North Morowali that killed a number of local and migrant workers. 

“The incident is deeply regrettable and I offer my deepest condolences for the passing of the victims. This should not have happened and it must be investigated and the law must be enforced,” Gumiwang wrote on January 16. 

The Minister said that he completely supports a constructive dialogue between PT GNI and its employees to reach a deal. Apart from that, he asserted that companies must abide by the country’s laws, especially regulations regarding the fulfillment of workers' rights and the Occupational Safety and Environment (K3L).

He also aimed his attention at the employees working under PT GNI and called for workers to maintain a secure working situation and abide by standard operating procedures, especially those linked to the K3L aspects. 

Minister Gumiwang hopes the issue that arose in the smelter can be resolved soon and see activities run normally again. 

Agus Gumiwang said the Ministry continues to coordinate with PT GNI representatives. “The company said they are currently investigating the incident with authorities and looking deep into the incident that caused losses,” he explained. 

"The government asks every stakeholder to jointly maintain a conducive situation. This is also to maintain an investment climate that benefits many." said the Industry Ministry. 

Investments arose as a topic the Minister talked about as he believes the government is currently attempting to attract investments to Indonesia, in hopes of creating jobs and encouraging economic growth. 

"It takes cooperation from everyone to synergize and create a conducive business climate by complying with applicable regulations," said Agus Gumiwang.

He also argues that nickel smelters play an important role in the industrial downstream and strengthen the industrial structure in the country. 

PT GNI, according to official records, started operating in December 2021. This company is capable of producing 1.8 million tons of Nickel Pig Iron (NPI) per year and empowers roughly around 10,000 workers. Three PT GNI employees were killed as a result of the deadly clash on Saturday last week, with one of the victims being a foreign migrant worker. 

The company has issued a statement regarding the incident, which was uploaded to PT GNI’s website. PT GNI's board of directors said they were very concerned about the demonstration that ended in chaos. "Because it doesn't only have an impact on the company but also on the surrounding community," said PT GNI Directors quoted on Monday, January 15.

During the investigation, the company hopes that everyone involved exercises restraint and thinks clearly in processing the information circulating in the public sphere. "Especially regarding confounding reporting, which has the potential to cause a wrong perception of the events that occurred.”

RIRI RAHAYU | MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

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