The trust of the local community is crucial for a company to ensure the sustainability of its operations. This aligns with the fundamental principles of PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM) and its subsidiaries, which believe that a business becomes strong when it prioritizes social and environmental responsibility.
Based on these principles, PT Graha Panca Karsa (GPK) gathered on December 6th with the village chief and residents of Kampung Tukul to hold a Makaan Tanaaq ceremony at the GPK mining site.
The Makaan Tanaaq ceremony is a Dayak Bahau tradition used to seek permission and pray to the higher power before using land or forests for community purposes. The Bahau community believes that this ritual will keep away negative forces (curse), bring goodness, and prosperity to those who use the land.
The importance of this traditional event was evident by the presence of government officials and local tribal leaders, including the Head of Besar Adat of Kutai Barat District, the Deputy Chief of Police of Kutai Barat, a Representative of the Military District Commander of Kutai Barat, the Police Chief of Long Iram and Tering Subdistricts, the Military Commander of Long Iram and Tering Subdistricts, the Subdistrict Chief of Tering, Village Elders of Tukul, the Village Chief of Tukul, Subdistrict Elders of Long Iram and Tering, and Community Leaders of Tukul Village. Representatives from the ITM Melak Cluster Management, including Mr. Hirung and Mr. Deddy Suryanto, were also present, along with Mr. Deddy Sugiharto, Director of GPK, and Mr. Alfirmansyah, Head of Mining Technical.
In their speeches, the Head of Besar Adat, Deputy Chief of Police, Subdistrict Chief, Village Elders, and community leaders expressed that GPK and the local community have shared goals that can be synergized for mutual progress. They hope that GPK can have a positive impact on various aspects of Kutai Barat's community life, especially Tukul Village.
The Tukul Village community has known GPK as part of ITM, which has supported them in education, providing training and scholarships for higher education. Additionally, the presence of GPK is expected to create job opportunities for the local community in Kutai Barat, particularly in Tukul Village.
Mr. Deddy Sugiharto noted that the community's acceptance of GPK has been increasing, thanks to ongoing communication efforts and the realization of community engagement and empowerment programs implemented from an early stage.
Furthermore, the community hopes that GPK can provide job opportunities for the local workforce in Kutai Barat, especially in Tukul Village. This aspiration has been answered by GPK's management, which has initiated pre-mechanic education programs for young people from Tukul Village.
"Job opportunities will expand when the workforce possesses the necessary skills and knowledge," explained Mr. Alfirmansyah during the event.
After the Makaan Tanaaq ceremony, the Tuhing process will take place for three consecutive days, during which no activities are allowed in the GPK working area.
Field activities will resume on December 10th, with GPK commencing land clearing and mining in areas according to the mining plan and the approval of the 2021 Annual Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).
