BELITUNG -- PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk has continued its series of public consultations, or Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), to update its Community Development and Empowerment Master Plan (RIPPM) across the company's operational areas.
Following previous FGDs held on Bangka Island and in East Belitung Regency, the latest session took place in Belitung Regency at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Belitung Regent's Office in Tanjungpandan, Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, on Thursday (July 2, 2026).
The FGD served as a platform for PT TIMAH to gather input from the local government and key stakeholders in order to align its community development programs with regional needs and local potential.
The event was attended by representatives of the Belitung Regency Government, regional government agencies, sub-district heads, village heads, community leaders, and other relevant institutions located within the company's operational areas.
Through the updated RIPPM document, PT TIMAH seeks to ensure that its Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programs deliver tangible benefits to communities while supporting sustainable economic development.
During the discussion, the local government welcomed PT TIMAH's initiative, recognizing it as an opportunity to foster dialogue and collaboration in designing community empowerment programs that address actual needs in the field.
Belitung Regency Regional Secretary Marzuki stated that the FGD serves as an important opportunity to align the region's development vision with the company's community empowerment initiatives.
According to him, the company's presence is expected not only to contribute to economic activities but also to improve human resource quality, expand business opportunities, and strengthen community self-reliance.
The local government also views the RIPPM as a strategic instrument to ensure that all community development and empowerment programs are implemented in a structured, sustainable manner and generate meaningful benefits for communities surrounding the company's operational areas.
"In supporting regional development, various sectors have significant potential to be developed through community empowerment programs, including tourism, the creative economy, MSMEs, agriculture, fisheries, and human resource development," he said.
Therefore, synergy among the government, the business sector, the community, and all stakeholders is essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
The local government also hopes that the updated RIPPM will further strengthen PT TIMAH's commitment to implementing programs that enhance community productivity, expand economic opportunities, develop skills, and create new business opportunities.
"I also encourage the community to make the most of every program that is introduced. Let us not merely become beneficiaries, but also active participants in the development process," he said.
"With the spirit of mutual cooperation, creativity, and innovation, let us build a resilient and competitive region. We hope this initiative will become more than just an administrative requirement, but truly serve as a roadmap for the social and economic development of the people of Belitung Regency," he added.
Meanwhile, Martoni, Head of the Belitung Regional Office of the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Agency of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, stated that the tin mining sector has long been one of the primary drivers of the economy in the Belitung region.
However, he noted that the challenge going forward is how to optimize the utilization of natural resources in a way that creates sustainable prosperity for local communities. Therefore, the Community Development and Empowerment Program (PPM) plays a crucial role in achieving this objective.
"Why is updating this document important? Because social, economic, and environmental conditions are changing rapidly, and community needs have evolved significantly compared to several years ago," he said.
According to him, updating the RIPPM document is essential to ensure that community empowerment programs keep pace with social, economic, and environmental changes while effectively addressing the needs of communities surrounding the company's operational areas.
"This forum belongs to all of us. The success of developing the PPM document depends greatly on openness, active participation, and constructive input from all stakeholders present here. Therefore, I encourage PT TIMAH to comprehensively capture local aspirations and design programs that generate broad, meaningful, and sustainable impacts," he said.
Through this public consultation forum, all stakeholders are expected to provide constructive recommendations so that the updated RIPPM can serve as an effective guideline for implementing community empowerment programs with broad and sustainable impacts.
"With strong synergy between the government, PT TIMAH as a business entity, and the community, we are optimistic that mining activities can continue to operate responsibly, sustainably, and deliver meaningful benefits to society," he concluded. (*)
