Having Own Factory, Conglomerate Sukanto Tanoto Donates 500 Tons Of Oxygen For COVID-19 Patients

Oxygen delivery ceremony by the Tanoto Foundation (Photo: Doc. Tanoto Foundation)

JAKARTA – Senior entrepreneur Sukanto Tanoto donated 500 tons of oxygen to help meet the needs of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia. The oxygen itself is produced by PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (APRIL Group) which is one of its business lines.

Through the philanthropic organization Tanoto Foundation, Sukanto entrusted the distribution of donations to government representatives at the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Health as distribution coordinators.

Board of Trustee Tanoto Foundation Anderson Tanoto said this step was a response to the limited oxygen in a number of hospitals in the country.

"This oxygen is produced by our facility in Riau and directly sent to Java Island to help supply oxygen to hospitals in need," he said in a press statement as quoted on Saturday, July 10.

On the same occasion, the Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita expressed his appreciation and gave appreciation to the Tanoto Foundation for being willing to provide medical oxygen supply assistance.

According to the Minister of Industry, the initiative to divert part of the oxygen plant facilities for the bleaching pulp process into medical oxygen is proof of the responsibility of the business community to the current situation.

"This is the active participation of an industry that is able to produce oxygen for medical needs and can help the government in ensuring the availability of supplies for COVID-19 patients," he said.

Similarly, Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono said that what the Tanoto Foundation was doing was helping the government's work in tackling the impact of the pandemic, which is currently increasing.

"Availability of oxygen is an essential thing that must be met immediately amid the increase in COVID-19 cases and we must all work hand in hand from all existing stakeholders, both the government, the private sector, and the community in order to get out of this situation," he said.

For information, the donation of 500 tons of oxygen will be made in five deliveries. Meanwhile, the first shipment will be carried out starting Friday, July 9, 2021 from Pangkalan Kerinci to Jakarta in stages.