Thousands of Biomasa Jaya Abadi and Group Employees Unite Against NGO Hoaxes, Putting the Future of the People of Pohuwato at Stake

Foto: Istimewa

GORONTALO - Armed with the spirit of strengthening the familial bond among employees of PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi, PT Banyan Tumbuh Lestari (BTL) and PT Inti Global Laksana (IGL), thousands of employees and their families held Family Gathering activities that were fully supported by management as a token of concern for the Company's management, underlining the importance of a sense of camaraderie among employees and between employee families.

In the daily tasks and responsibilities assumed by the employees, there is a need for activities outside of work that can help alleviate boredom and strengthen the kinship between employees, a togetherness that represents a large team that is both solid and strong.

Through the Family Gathering activity, thousands of employees and families from PT BJA, PT BTL and PT IGL also came together against hoaxes or fake news levelled by a number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) at the Company, potentially harming the future of the Pohuwato community.

“In recent months, we have seen, heard and read a lot of provocative information that obscured the facts and which continued to be disseminated by a number of NGOs suspected of being affiliated with foreign interests. They accuse and spread false information about the BJA Group, where we make a living and which has become a source of livelihood that protects families from poverty, allowing children to enjoy a better future,” said Eko Widarto A. Mudi, a representative of the Extended Family of Employees of PT IGL, PT BTL, PT BJA when reading out a declaration at the Family Gathering event of the Extended Family of PT BTL, PT BJA, PT IGL at Popayato Field, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Sunday 3rd November.

Eko revealed that the Extended Family of Employees of IGL, BTL, BJA has identified a systematic effort from NGOs from outside the Gorontalo region to dismantle PT BJA Group and disassembling the economy in Popayato which was vulnerable to begin with. This posed a significant threat to the future, livelihoods, and the struggle of the Pohuwato people battling poverty and stunting.

Due to unfavorable circumstances and the barrage of hoaxes about BJA Group from NGOs from outside Gorontalo has gained in intensity, the Extended Family of Employees of IGL, BTL, BJA has voiced the following demands:

1. Demanding that the Gorontalo Provincial Government, Gorontalo DPRD, Pohuwato Regency Government, and Pohuwato DPRD provide protection and guarantee for investments to PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi (BJA) Group in order to protect the fate of thousands of workers and their families, and ensure a better future for the people of Pohuwato.

2. Demanding the Gorontalo Provincial Government, Pohuwato Regency Government, and Law Enforcement Officials to take firm action against the perpetrators of the spread of hoaxes that have obstructed real facts and are misleading from harming the business activities of PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi (BJA) Group which can threaten the wellbeing of the thousands of workers.

3. Condemning and demanding non-governmental organizations such as FWI, Trend Asia, Auriga Nusantara, and other NGOs from outside Gorontalo and Pohuwato cease the spread of hoaxes, slander, and attempts to create divisions in Pohuwato society to destroy the future of children in Pohuwato.

4. Calling on community leaders, community organizations, the younger generation, and all elements of society to unite and not be instigated by various hoaxes created by parties outside Gorontalo and Pohuwato which aim to divide, destroy the future of the people and impoverish Pohuwato by mounting anti-biomass company campaigns in Pohuwato.

5. Support for PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi (BJA) Group to carry out its investment and business in Pohuwato, Gorontalo, in accordance with prevailing laws and continue to create jobs for the realization of community welfare, reduce poverty and stunting in the Pohuwato and Gorontalo regions.

Eko, accompanied by Dania Lorongasal, who is also a representative of the Extended Family of IGL, BTL, BJA Employees, said that he would continue to monitor the spread of hoaxes and efforts to divide and conquer by NGOs from outside Gorontalo who made Pohuwato and Gorontalo a campaign ground to obtain foreign funding.

“The Extended Family of Employees of IGL, BTL, BJA will be at the forefront to defend the interests of companies that have carried out business according to applicable laws and regulations for the welfare of the people of Pohuwato and the creation of a better future. A Vow of Unity, Fight Against Hoaxes and Foreign Interests that are likely to jeopardize the economy of Pohuwato and Gorontalo,” Eko said.

Family Gathering

PT BTL, PT BJA, PT IGL held a Family Gathering for their extended families at Popayato field, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo on Sunday morning, November 3, 2024. The event themed 'Realizing the 11th Million Tree Planting of Gamal' was attended by more than 2,500 employees and their families from the three companies.

In addition to employees and families, the event was also attended by the management of the three Companies. Also present as guests were a number of community leaders, 15 fostered village heads, Pohuwato and Popayato local governments including the Head of Sub-District, Head of Popayato and Lemito Police, and Popayato Commander of the Army Administrative Unit.

The event also involved 60 MSMEs that operated stalls along the Trans Sulawesi road, Popayato Serumpun area. All Family Gathering participants were able to sample delicacies from these MSMEs by simply redeeming vouchers provided by the company. The company spent IDR 63 million which was distributed to the MSMEs.

PT BJA Director Burhanuddin said the Family Gathering was held as a form of gratitude and appreciation of the Company to employees and families of BJA Group in line with the achievement of the 11th million Gamal tree planting. The planting was carried out on Friday, November 1, 2024 in the PT BTL work area.

“We are grateful and thankful for the dedication and hard work of all of the employees, as well as for the support of all parties, including local governments, community leaders and security forces, so that the Company could come this far and continue to contribute to society, the environment and of course, the country,” Burhanuddin said.

In 2024, up to October, the achievements of BJA include exporting wood pellets 14 times with a total value of approximately IDR 335.58 billion. The workforce at BJA together with IGL and BTL is currently 1,130 people, of these, the number of local workers is 76%, the largest absorption of local labor in Pohuwato Regency.

Up to 2024, based on data from the Regional Secretary of Gorontalo Province, BJA and its partners have contributed non-tax state revenue (PNBP) of IDR 47.5 billion. The PNBP is divided into three parts, i.e., 30 percent for the central government, 30 percent for Gorontalo Province, and 40 percent for Pohuwato Regency.

The North Sulawesi Customs Regional Office (Kanwil) also awarded PT BJA as the largest contributor to foreign exchange exports in Gorontalo. The company contributes more than 55% of foreign exchange exports from this province.

“As a wood pellet producer company operating in Pohuwato, Gorontalo, we run this wood pellet business in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations. Including running product exports to Japan and South Korea in collaboration with the Quarantine Center, Customs, and other authorized institutions,” Burhanuddin explained.

Acting Pohuwato Regent Suharsi Igirisa, in his speech, expressed his support for investment in Pohuwato. This is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's administration's program, which supports investment aimed at bringing prosperity to the community.

“Undeniably, with the presence of IGL, BTL, and BJA, the economic growth in Pohuwato has been extraordinary. The presence of the companies, thank God, has helped promote the growth of the local economy,” Suharsi said in his speech.

Suharsi added that the family gathering, which was intended as a form of gratitude for the 11th millionth Gamal tree planting, was expected to strengthen the relationship between employees as well as with the local government and the company. After all, nearly 80% of IGL BTL BJA employees are Pohuwato people.

“Hopefully, the planted Gamal will continue to grow, and the company will continue to care for employees so that their welfare will improve,” Suharsi concluded.