The National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) recently showcased a severed high-voltage transmission cable from SUTET Tower 175-176 in Tempino Village, Muaro Jambi Regency. This critical infrastructure failure was identified as the direct cause of widespread power outages across several regions of Sumatra on Friday, May 22nd. The exhibited transmission cable, visibly thick as an adult’s wrist, revealed sections where its copper strands had unraveled, hinting at the intensity of the damage.
Addressing the ongoing investigation into the significant power disruption, Deputy Head of Bareskrim Polri, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin, confirmed that the severed cable has been secured. Speaking at the Bareskrim Polri headquarters on Monday, May 25th, Nunung emphasized the importance of a thorough examination. “For further investigative purposes, colleagues, the section of the transmission cable that snapped has been secured and is currently under the handling of the National Police Forensic Laboratory Center (Puslabfor Polri) for laboratory examination and further analysis to determine the precise cause of the damage,” Nunung stated, highlighting the meticulous approach being taken to uncover the root cause.
In addition to the cable analysis, Bareskrim also provided an update on the condition of the supporting infrastructure. Authorities confirmed that the physical condition of the transmission tower itself remains generally good, with no significant structural damage detected. Earlier assessments by Bareskrim had indicated that the snapping of the transmission cable was likely due to severe adverse weather conditions, definitively ruling out the possibility of sabotage as the cause for the extensive Sumatra power outage.
Summary
The National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) identified a severed high-voltage transmission cable from SUTET Tower 175-176 in Tempino Village, Muaro Jambi, as the direct cause of widespread power outages across Sumatra on May 22nd. This damaged cable, visibly thick with unraveled copper strands, is currently secured and undergoing laboratory examination by the National Police Forensic Laboratory Center (Puslabfor Polri) to determine the precise cause of the damage.
Deputy Head of Bareskrim Polri, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin, confirmed the ongoing investigation into the incident. Authorities also stated that the supporting transmission tower remains in good condition without significant structural damage. Earlier assessments indicated severe adverse weather conditions likely caused the cable to snap, definitively ruling out sabotage as the reason for the extensive Sumatra power outage.