Joint Building Mat for Food Security

The Fakfak community supports the construction of the Pupuk Kaltim factory on condition that there is a need for job vacancies for the community. Including support for life in the future, including nature conservation.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Gelar Tikar Bangun Ketahanan Pangan Bersama

ALDI

Rahmad Pribadi, who was then the Director of Pupuk Kaltim Timur (PKT), heard the statement of the captain who was a part of the Mbaham Matta indigenous community after the tradition of Gelar Tikar on Friday (July 14, 2023) in Fakfak, West Papua.

Recent world developments show the increasing importance of the aspect of food security. Nations around the world are increasingly protective in maintaining the continuity of their food availability. Rising food prices in various parts of the world are the effect. It is in this context that Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT), as a BUMN, plans to increase fertilizer production in Indonesia.

Fakfak Regency, West Papua was then chosen as the location. Not only because of the availability of natural resources, but also for economic equality in eastern Indonesia. Rahmad Pribadi, who at the time of being interviewed in mid-July 2023 was still the Main Director of PKT said, of the total national need for urea fertilizer of around 6 million tons per year, PKT produces 3.2 million tons of urea and will increase production by 1.1 million tons. "Fertilizer for eastern Indonesia can be fulfilled later with PKT," said Rahmad.

However, in order to facilitate the development of a new factory by PKT, support from the Fakfak community is crucial. This was also noted by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when he heard the presentation from Fakfak Regent Untung Tamsil at the Fakfak Green Open Space Park on Friday (14/7/2023).

Ma'ruf Amin reminded that investment plans must be accompanied by good approaches to the community. When the approach goes well, development will inevitably proceed smoothly. "Ultimately, it's about how we approach it," he said.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin held a dialogue with traditional leaders, community figures, and religious figures in Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province, on Friday (14/7/2023).

On paper, the presence of PKT in Fakfak will certainly increase the Original Regional Income (PAD). However, the most important thing is to win the hearts and minds of the community, so that everything runs smoothly. This apparently has become PKT's commitment.

During the Tikar Tikar ceremony which was held Friday (14/7/2023) in Fakfak, the central government represented by the Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia and the Managing Director of PKT Rahmad Pribadi (now the Managing Director of Pupuk Indonesia) had a dialogue with the Fakfak community as an initial socialization of the presence of the PKT in Fakfak.

They have sat together, discussed and poured out their hearts. They discussed various uneg-uneg and told each other's wishes.

Tikar's title is also not an instant process or just a formality.

For example, the Mbaham Matta tribe has a unique culture and community structure, the result of hundreds of years of evolution in response to internal and external developments. Every aspect of the structure needs to be approached with heart and mind.

The title of Tikar is not an instant process or a mere formality. Anthropologist Ronald Helweldery from Fakfak said that to reach an agreement, the tikar title ceremony can be repeated several times and take several days. He also appreciates the government and PKT's step in starting the factory construction project with a cultural process.

According to him, usually all parties will take turns expressing their interests and desires. There was a discussion or wewowo which led to an agreement that could be accepted by all parties. "It's a long process. But the process for developing this PKT project, in my opinion, needs to be an example and a lesson for other projects," said Ronald.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

On Wednesday (24/5/2023), in Tugu Satu Tungku Tiga Batu, Fakfak Regency, West Papua, Fakfak Regency is known for the philosophy of "one stove, three stones". This philosophy serves as a guide for Fakfak's diverse community, including those from different beliefs within a family or clan, to live harmoniously and with tolerance.

He stated that the Tikar Ceremony is a traditional event that is heavily imbued with the beliefs of the community. The process is full of sacred rituals. Essentially, the Mbaham Matta community believes that the land belongs to their ancestors. Therefore, permission to use the land must be requested from the ancestors.

The ancestors were also present in the Gelar Tikar event through flowing words. This is how the Mbaham Matta community keeps themselves safe. They believe that their ancestors protect them. Therefore, in Gelar Tikar, all participants must be honest and sincere and have no evil agenda. The agreements that occur must also be implemented by all parties as best as possible. "If there are those with bad intentions or violate customs, there have been several incidents where their projects failed, or someone died," said Ronald.

During the Rug Ceremony, all participants must be honest and sincere, and not have any evil agendas.

Ronald reminded that socialization is the first step. Similar sentiment was conveyed by the Head of Mbaham Matta Indigenous Council, Didimus Tuturob. Didimus stated that the process is still long. There is a need for lengthy and intensive discussion with all relevant parts of the indigenous community. The individuals participating in Gelar Tikar also need to be appropriate. "Yesterday there was already a Kapitan, but there must also be parties with land rights in the location where the factory will be built," said Didimus.

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Also watch: Stories of Brotherhood from Tanah Mbaham Matta, Fakfak, West Papua

During the meeting, Rahmad introduced PKT as an Indonesian-owned company, which also means it belongs to the Mbaham Matta community. He said that the Adat Mat exhibition is one of the ways in which PKT can work together with all parties, especially indigenous communities. The Wewowo event was held as a form of respect for the rights of indigenous people. Rahmad hoped that PKT could gain various inputs and full support for the development of the fertilizer industry region in the future.

KOMPAS

Tolerance and harmony have long been embedded in the community of the Mbaham Matta tribe, residing in Fakfak Regency, West Papua. Based on the philosophy of One Hearth Three Stones, they maintain brotherhood and love among themselves despite their differences. The Mbaham Matta tribe upholds tolerance by maintaining family ties, even if they do not share the same beliefs.

Rahmad stated that food security cannot be achieved if there is a lack of fertilizer. Along with that, fertilizer factories require a supply of gas. Furthermore, the availability of gas is ensured by the presence of several new gas wells namely in the Makassar Strait, Masela Maluku, and West Papua.

According to Rahmad, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadila has played an important role in ensuring that the new PKT factory can stand in Fakfak. "Mr. Bahlil has made great efforts through various policies to achieve economic equality, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia, and especially in Fakfak," said Rahmad.

"I have been reminded several times by Mr. Bahlil, not to neglect the community," Rahmad said. He also assured that the commitment to engage with the community has been deeply ingrained, especially in the first PKT factory in Bontang."

Good relationship between PKT and the community in Bontang has even made PKT the largest fertilizer factory in Southeast Asia. "There has never been any conflict. Even the community guarding in front ensures PKT's success," said Rahmad.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) plant in Bontang, East Kalimantan, on Sunday (23/7/2023).

In the process of building a fertilizer factory in Fakfak, Rahmad emphasized that the assistance from the community and the local government of Fakfak is crucial for joint progress. "With humility, I ask for the support of all gentlemen, for the realization of this fertilizer factory construction," said Rahmad.

Meanwhile, Didimus emphasized that there are several things that the Mbaham Matta community hopes for. Namely, the environment that must be preserved and job opportunities. Didimus added that many young people in Fakfak who have completed higher education are expected to work in the PKT project both during the construction of the factory and when the factory is operational. It is hoped that the factory can also accommodate thousands of new workers.

King Arguni Hanafi Pauspaus, who was met during a dialogue event with community leaders with Vice President Amin, explained that the regent, community leaders, and several other figures will accept and support the presence of PKT in the Petuanan Arguni area in Fior Andamata.

Despite receiving the PKT, Hanafi expressed the same thing as Didimus. "We will see the impact later. Tomorrow, we have to discuss a lot about how the society will move forward. Meaning, we support (if) there are job vacancies for the community in the future and how their future life will be," he said.

Hanafi also informed that the beaches around Petuanan Arguni have started to be conserved. The presence of a future fertilizer factory is expected to help maintain the conservation area, rather than damaging it.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Landscape with the foreground of Tugu Satu tungku Tiga Batu monument and residential areas with various places of worship in Fakfak Regency, West Papua, on Wednesday (May 24, 2023).

Meanwhile, Bahlil is encouraging the community to see PKT's presence as a good opportunity. He stated that thousands of workers will be needed during the construction phase although it will decrease during the operation later. However, the workers at PKT certainly need food supplies. "We will make vegetables, beef, shrimp, pineapples, fish, and even rice," said Bahlil, who is pushing the Fakfak residents to produce food.

According to Bahlil, the tradition of Gelar Tikar where everyone sits together is a good thing. He hopes that this intention can also lead to good decisions. As a child from Fakfak, Bahlil said that he tried hard to give something to his country. "When I was a child, I remember. We used to tease the children of officials: What did your father do for this country?" reminisced Bahlil.

This memory has driven him to strive for the best. However, the effort was not easy. The PKT factory was not initially planned to be built in Fakfak. Even though he knew that the gas for the plant was taken from Fakfak. Tugs of war then occurred repeatedly and layered. All parties argued and strategized. "But it's okay, I'll face it all," he said.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Aerial photo of the PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) factory in Bontang, East Kalimantan, on Monday (12/6/2023). At the end of 2022, PKT was assigned by the government to carry out a national strategic project (NSP) in the form of a urea factory construction in Fakfak, West Papua.

Regent Untung Tamsil also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Investment for Fakfak receiving a large investment. Untung also appreciates Bahlil who has made a great effort, even risking his position, to ensure that a new fertilizer factory can be built in Fakfak.

Remember, Untung, in 2023, precisely on November 16, Fakfak will turn 123 years old. Therefore, the opportunity for a new fertilizer plant must be seized immediately for the progress of Fakfak. However, of course, input and views from the traditional elders need to be heard.

An offer of assistance along with important notes was also conveyed by Assistant 1 for the West Papua Provincial Government, Robert Rumbekwan, who represented the Acting Governor of West Papua. "We encourage and support investment in West Papua that prioritizes social justice, becoming a driver of the economy in Fakfak for a more prosperous community," he said.