The recent explosion of expired ammunition in a military zone in Garut, West Java, which claimed the lives of at least nine people, including civilians, has left deep sorrow among the victims’ families. The incident has drawn sharp public scrutiny, particularly regarding the military’s risk mitigation processes and the involvement of civilians who ultimately became casualties.
UGM sociologist Derajad Sulistyo Widhyharto criticized the incident as a reflection of longstanding misconduct, namely, transactional cooperation between military personnel and civilians that disregards safety.
“This phenomenon is nothing new. Civilian involvement in bomb disposal has become almost a routine business. There are leftover explosive materials that can be sold, there’s a flow of money, but safety aspects are completely ignored,” asserted Widhyharto on Monday, May 26, 2025.
According to him, the presence of civilians in a military zone indicates a serious procedural lapse.
These areas should be restricted and accessible only to trained and authorized military personnel.
“If civilians become victims because they were employed in these operations, it means safety information regarding blast radius and explosion risk was either not provided or, worse, taken lightly. This is a clear case of safety negligence,” he stated.
Widhyharto also commented on the swift action by West Java Governor Deddy Mulyadi, who pledged compensation of up to IDR 50 million and guaranteed education support for the victims’ children.
While he acknowledged this as a positive step, he emphasized that the primary responsibility lies with the military.
“The governor has shown empathy, but in terms of authority, the military must be held accountable because this activity falls under their domain,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Widhyharto stressed the need for strict oversight to prevent similar incidents and ensure that all affected families receive the promised compensation.
“We often grow complacent, thinking such activities are routine, but this concerns human lives. There should be no ‘business as usual’ mentality in operations with such high risks,” the expert concluded.
Author: Bolivia Rahmawati
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photograph: Detik.com