Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Governor Pramono Anung has ordered the Jakarta Parks and City Forest Agency to inspect and reinforce thousands of aging trees across the capital following the death of Harry MP Danardojo, a former director of state-owned investment firm Danareksa, who was killed when a large palm tree fell onto his car during a storm in South Jakarta on Sunday.
Pramono said about 5,000 trees in Jakarta are at risk of falling and must be braced or pruned to prevent similar accidents. "After this incident, I've instructed the head of the Parks Agency, who is currently at the victim's residence, to immediately handle trees that need support or trimming," he said on Monday. "Old or unstable trees should be cut down if necessary."
The fatal accident occurred on Sunday, around 1:59 p.m. on Jalan Metro Pondok Indah Raya in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, when a 15-meter-tall palm tree, about 60 centimeters in diameter, collapsed amid heavy rain and strong winds, crushing the car driven by Harry. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Muhammad Yohan, head of data and information at Jakarta's Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).
Pramono, who said he knew the victim personally, offered his condolences to the family and said the Jakarta provincial government would assist with insurance matters related to the accident. "The late Mr. Harry was someone I knew personally," he said. "The city government immediately offered to help with burial arrangements and insurance claims."
The victim's family, however, decided to hold a private funeral and manage the insurance process independently.
The governor said the tragedy serves as a warning for the city to act swiftly in managing its urban greenery, especially as Jakarta faces increasingly unpredictable weather. Meteorological officials have cautioned that the capital could see stronger winds and heavier rainfall as the rainy season intensifies.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-to-inspect-aging-trees-after-palm-tree-crushes-car-kills-drive