PANGKALPINANG - Empowering indigenous communities is one of PT Timah's efforts to support and advance the rights and welfare of these communities.
PT Timah is implementing community empowerment initiatives for the Mapur Indigenous Community in Air Abik Hamlet, Deniang Village, Bangka Regency. The community empowerment program is carried out continuously.
After previously collaborating with the indigenous community and the Mapur Adat Institution to build the Gebong Memarong Adat Village, PT Timah continues to support the capacity-building of the indigenous community by providing training to enhance their economic activities.
As a member of the Mining Industry Holding MIND ID, PT Timah has implemented several programs for the Mapur Indigenous Community. Community empowerment programs not only involve infrastructure development but also community development.
Since 2022, PT Timah has been empowering the Mapur Indigenous Community, supporting the development of a creative economy in the Gebong Memarong Adat Village. In 2023, PT Timah carried out various activities with the Mapur indigenous community, including providing guidance training for tourism.
The training, attended by dozens of Mapur indigenous community members, focused on Local Guide Training. This effort by PT Timah aims to train community members to become tour guides in the Gebong Memarong Adat Village to welcome tourists.
Additionally, PT Timah has constructed toilet facilities to support the infrastructure for tourists visiting the Gebong Memarong Adat Village.
To boost the economy of the Mapur indigenous community, PT Timah also assists in promoting the Gebong Memarong Adat Village by creating promotional leaflets and craft product catalogs.
Toto Haribowo, a speaker in the Local Guide training organized by PT Timah from the Bangka Regency Tourism Business Association, stated that PT Timah Tbk is currently the biggest hope for the Mapor community.
After the completion of the Gebong Memarong, it is expected to become one of the economic drivers for the community. Thus, the training for local guides in Gebong Memarong is the beginning and foundation to equip the community to be more confident and proud of their region.
"With this training, we prepare them to be capable of becoming tourism practitioners and not just spectators. Without PT Timah's support, they wouldn't be able to carry out cultural preservation and community empowerment," he said, quoted from previous reports.
Meanwhile, Asih Harmoko, the Head of the Mapur Adat Institution, highly appreciates PT Timah Tbk for its strong support in preserving traditions, leading to the establishment of the Gebong Memarong Adat Village.
"Starting from scratch, PT Timah Tbk has supported and nurtured us to be where we are now. We need to develop it further based on what PT Timah Tbk has built. This way, it can continue to thrive and economically impact our community," she said.
According to Asih, the Gebong Memarong Adat Village will be developed to support the economic activities of the indigenous community.
"We will open it up and develop it further—for example, various activities such as craft-making training. We are also ready to welcome tourists who want to learn about the Mapur community's traditions," Asih added. (*)"
