Prabowo Orders Probe Into Deadly Worksite Accident at Salim-Linked Moya Indonesia

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has ordered authorities to fully investigate a workplace accident that killed three workers at a drainage construction project outside Jakarta's Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), escalating pressure on PT Moya Indonesia, a subsidiary of Singapore-listed Moya Holdings Asia.

The directive was delivered through Presidential Special Adviser for Labor and Workers' Welfare Said Iqbal after he conducted a surprise inspection of the company's headquarters on Monday.

"President Prabowo told me this case must be fully investigated because there should never again be workers dying due to negligence on projects worth trillions of rupiah," Said Iqbal said after inspecting PT Moya Indonesia's office in Jakarta.

The accident occurred inside a drainage tunnel approximately 23 feet (7 meters) deep near Gate III of TMII. According to preliminary findings presented by Said Iqbal, workers allegedly entered the confined space despite oxygen deficiency and the potential presence of toxic gases without adequate personal protective equipment.

The investigation reaches beyond a fatal workplace accident. It places PT Moya Indonesia, the country's largest private water treatment operator and a company ultimately controlled by Indonesian billionaire Anthoni Salim's Tamaris Infrastructure, under regulatory scrutiny at a time when President Prabowo Subianto's administration is signaling tougher oversight of some of Indonesia's largest business groups.

If investigators conclude that workplace safety violations contributed to the deaths, the case could become an early test of the administration's willingness to pursue criminal accountability involving major corporate groups, while reinforcing ESG and governance risks facing infrastructure operators working on publicly funded projects.

Salim-Linked Water Infrastructure Giant

PT Moya Indonesia is Indonesia's largest private water treatment operator, supplying treated water to more than 8 million people across Greater Jakarta, Batam and Semarang through municipal concessions, bulk water projects and industrial water services.

The company operates water treatment facilities with a combined capacity of 31,395 liters per second—about 2.7 million cubic meters (716 million gallons) per day—making it one of the country's most significant private infrastructure operators.

Moya expanded rapidly through acquisitions of major water utilities including PT Aetra Air Jakarta and Acuatico, consolidating Indonesia's fragmented water sector.

Although Moya Holdings Asia was previously listed in Singapore, the company was taken private in 2023 after Tamaris Infrastructure, an investment vehicle controlled by billionaire Anthoni Salim, completed a buyout of minority shareholders. Today Moya operates as part of the broader Salim Group, one of Indonesia's largest conglomerates with interests spanning food, telecommunications, retail, infrastructure and banking.

Possible Criminal Charges

Said Iqbal said compensation paid to victims' families would not eliminate potential criminal liability if investigators determine the deaths resulted from negligence.

"The loss of workers' lives must be accounted for. Worker safety is non-negotiable," he said after the inspection.

Although Moya Indonesia told officials it has written workplace safety procedures, Said Iqbal said investigators must determine whether those protocols were actually implemented.

"Based on information we have received, there are indications of negligence in implementing workplace safety procedures. It is now up to law enforcement authorities to establish the facts," he said.

Questions Over Worker Protection

Said Iqbal also alleged irregularities involving Indonesia's mandatory employment insurance program, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

According to him, one of the victims appeared to be registered under an unrelated employer.

"There appears to have been no proper BPJS protection. One victim, Husin, was registered under the China Railway high-speed rail company. What does that have to do with PT Moya?" he said.

If confirmed, the findings could expose the company to additional regulatory penalties beyond any criminal proceedings.

Investortrust has sought comment from PT Moya Indonesia regarding the allegations of workplace safety violations and questions over workers' employment insurance. The company had not responded by publication time.

Government Plans Broader Review

Said Iqbal said authorities are coordinating with Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower and Jakarta's labor office, while his office plans to establish an independent fact-finding team after official investigations conclude.

The government also intends to review other PT Moya Indonesia projects, particularly those financed with public funds.

"Our responsibility is to ensure the law is enforced, workers' rights are protected, and incidents like this never happen again. Worker safety must become the highest priority in every project," Said Iqbal said.