BANGKA - Maintaining the community's ecosystem so that it is able to maintain its noble values is one of PT Timah Tbk's efforts in preserving the existence of indigenous peoples.
This member of the Indonesian Mining Industry holding MIND ID continues to support the Orang Lum indigenous people, in Air Abik Hamlet, Gunung Muda Village, Belinyu District, Bangka Regency by empowering indigenous peoples.
To maintain and preserve the culture of the Lum people, PT Timah Tbk built the infrastructure by building the Gebong Memarong Traditional Village featuring typical houses of the Lum people. There are seven Gebong Memarong built by this TINS-coded issuer.
TINS involve the surrounding community in the construction of Gebong Memarong so that it can provide jobs for the community.
After building the infrastructure, PT Timah Tbk is also pushing to improve the skills of indigenous peoples by providing training for the community to support the community economy.
PT Timah Tbk provides batik training using the eco print technique for the community. Apart from that, they also held training on making Lum people's typical handicrafts using weaving and plait methods.
TINS also provided two Non-Machine Weaving Equipment (ATBM) units to support the community in producing various handicrafts.
PT Timah Tbk also invited the Mapur Traditional Institute to conduct a comparative study of the Baduy which aims to add insight into the Mapur Traditional Institution in managing and maintaining traditions so that they can provide a multiplier effect for the community.
The Head of the Mapur Traditional Institute, Asih Harmoko is very grateful for PT Timah Tbk's commitment to protecting and preserving the existence of the Lum People, especially in Air Abik Hamlet.
"PT Timah Tbk really helped us a lot, from the beginning we only had a dream of building Gebong Memarong, now it has been realized, we just need to develop it. We were invited to do a comparative study to see how the Baduy people maintain traditions but can also have an economic impact on the community," said Asih some time ago.
For him, PT Timah Tbk's role in the Customary Institution he leads is extraordinary. This, he said, can help the community's economy.
In the future, said Asih, the Gebong Memarong Traditional Village could become a tourist attraction for people to come to Air Abik Hamlet.
"Hopefully in the future we can continue to work together with PT Timah Tbk. We are very grateful for the presence of PT Timah. Because from zero, to the creation of gebong memorong, this is a very extraordinary thing that PT Timah has given us," he said.
"We also hope that later this can be independent after being empowered by PT Timah Tbk, the community can feel the economic impact," he said.
Belinyu sub-district head, Lingga Pranata appreciates PT Timah Tbk's commitment to empowering indigenous peoples. According to him, PT Timah Tbk not only maintains the preservation of customs but also encourages the creative economy for the community.
"We are very grateful to PT Timah Tbk, which has contributed and given more attention to the Mapur tribe. PT Timah is really present in the midst of society by promoting local wisdom," said Lingga. (**)
