WEST BANGKA -- People came and gathered to meet the Pasir Kuning beach in Tempilang Village, West Bangka Regency, taking part in the traditional ketupat war tradition, Sunday (27/3/2022).
The tradition, which is held every year, has become a national agenda carried out by the provincial and district governments. Two years ago, this traditional celebration was stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And this year, the tradition is back.
The Ketupat War is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation by the Tempilang community to welcome the month of Ramadan.
To preserve this tradition, PT Timah Tbk as a company that is part of the community has participated by providing support for this event.
Community leader of Tempilang, Yusderahman acknowledged PT Timah's commitment to preserving tradition, as evidenced by PT Timah Tbk's support for the success of the Ketupat War tradition.
"PT Timah Tbk always contributes to every ketupat war activity in Tempilang every year, although currently there are no operational or mining activities carried out, PT Timah continues to provide assistance to the Tempilang community. PT Timah Tbk continues to support traditional ketupat war activities," said Yusderahman who is also a Member of Commission I DPRD Bangka Belitung Province.
"A big thank you to PT Timah, who really cares about our home in Tempilang. We hope that because the Ketupat War has been designated as a national event, it should increase every year, for that in the future the synergy between the committee and PT Timah must also be even better As we all know, PT Timah is the biggest contributor to this event," he explained.
Similarly, the Head of the West Bangka Tourism and Culture Office, Muhammad Ali, said that PT Timah really cares about preserving customs and traditions.
"PT Timah has always been here for the country. A very extraordinary BUMN, which has always fully supported the development of tourism and culture in the West Bangka district. Especially in the tradition of the 2022 diamond war, PT Timah is again providing assistance," said Ali.
Meanwhile, the Regent of West Bangka H. Sukirman said that the preservation of traditional customs cannot be separated from the support of all parties.
"The ketupat war tradition has entered the national agenda. Ruah events like this, apart from being a tourist attraction, aim to unite the community. For that, they must get support from the West Bangka government, the province, the private sector, PT Timah and especially the people themselves," explained Sukirman.
The Ketupat War Tradition was attended by Deputy Governor Abdul Fatah, Regent of West Bangka H. Sukirman, Dandim 0431 Lt. Col. Deri Indrawaxn, Chief of Police, AKBP Agus Siswanto, Members of the Bangka Belitung DPRD, Azwar Helmi YusDerahman, Mansah and Ringgit Amethyst, local community leaders, and PT Timah officials.*
