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Five Injured by Exploding Gas Cylinder at ‘Illegal’ Factory
Zaky Pawas, Ulma Haryanto & Reva Sasistiya | May 10, 2010

Jakarta Police are investigating whether the string of explosions, deaths and injuries involving state-subsidized liquefied petroleum gas stoves and canisters may have been caused by counterfeit components. (Antara Photo) Jakarta Police are investigating whether the string of explosions, deaths and injuries involving state-subsidized liquefied petroleum gas stoves and canisters may have been caused by counterfeit components. (Antara Photo)
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Five more people were injured by an exploding gas cylinder this weekend, even as the government began responding to the spate of blasts that have rocked Jakarta in recent months.

The latest incident occurred on Saturday morning at a warehouse in Kebalen subdistrict, Bekasi, that was storing gas cylinders of 50, 12 and three-kilogram capacities.

Warehouse owner Marzuki, 59, reportedly ran an illegal business refilling 200-milliliter gas lighters from the site, though police have neither confirmed this nor linked it to the explosion.

“We’re still looking into it,” Bekasi Police Chief Sr. Comr. Herry Wibowo said. “Three people are in critical condition at Mitra Keluarga Hospital and Thamrin Hospital.”

All five injured were workers. Marzuki was not present at the time of the explosion, which destroyed the warehouse.

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina, which distributes the gas cylinders, said it had previously raised the issue of Marzuki running an illegal business from his warehouse.

“We already submitted a report to the police to follow up,” spokesman Basuki Trikora Putra said.

Critics have lashed out at Pertamina for failing to inform consumers fully on how to use a canister-and-stove kit safely. The kit has been blamed for at least seven blasts in the past month in Jakarta.

But Pertamina said on Sunday that it had set up a team to address the issue and monitor the production of the kits.

“The team has been working for two weeks but hasn’t reached any conclusions,” Pertamina spokesman Wianda Pusponegoro said. “We are looking into our distribution lines and hope to have something concrete by the end of this week.”

The team is visiting its agents to inspect rubber seals on the three-kilogram canisters, which are widely blamed for allowing gas leaks that lead to explosions. Pertamina has vowed to punish noncomplying partners.

It also says it will appoint a single manufacturer for the seal.

The canister-and-stove kits are part of a government-subsidized program to get households to switch from kerosene to liquefied petroleum gas. Pertamina has distributed more than 44 million of the kits nationally. They include a three-kilogram canister, stove, hose and regulator.

Pertamina and the government have been criticized by consumer groups for failing to guarantee the product’s safety before releasing it as part of a nationwide program.

The recent string of incidents has also caused some households to rethink the use of the subsidized LPG kits and go back to more expensive kerosene.

On Friday, Pertamina corporate secretary Toharso said it would compensate victims.

The families of those permanently handicapped or killed would receive Rp 50 million ($5,450), while those injured would receive Rp 25 million.




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