PANGKALPINANG -- The history of the establishment of Bangka Belitung Islands Province cannot be separated from the long journey of the tin industry. Behind the social, economic, and political dynamics that led to the birth of Indonesia’s 31st province in 2000, PT TIMAH Tbk stood as an important regional development partner.
Long before Bangka Belitung became a province, the tin industry had already been the lifeblood of the community. Since the colonial era, tin mining served as the center of economic activity, developing towns, ports, attracting waves of workers, and opening access to modernization across the tin-producing islands.
The entry of PT TIMAH Tbk an entity transformed from colonial mining companies and later a state-owned enterprise after independence brought a greater role in shaping the economic and social structure of what is now Bangka Belitung Province.
As the company operates within the region, PT TIMAH Tbk and the tin-mining industry created new growth centers, strengthened trade routes, and positioned Bangka Belitung on the national map as a world-class tin producer.
The region’s vast tin potential was one of the strongest arguments during discussions about regional division in the late 1990s. Local leaders believed that Bangka and Belitung had the fiscal capacity, natural resources, and industrial strength to stand independently as a province.
During the transitional period leading up to the province’s formation, PT TIMAH Tbk played a vital role in supporting regional development. The company’s contribution to state revenue, particularly through taxes and non-tax revenues (PNBP), strengthened the region’s fiscal readiness.
Additionally, the development of social infrastructure such as roads, public facilities, ports, and support for education accelerated Bangka Belitung’s readiness to elevate its administrative status to a province.
When the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) officially established Bangka Belitung Islands Province in 2000, the spirit of economic independence rooted in the tin industry became one of its foundational ideas. Downstreaming, mining governance, and industrial modernization were viewed as the future directions for Babel.
PT TIMAH Tbk became a symbol of the region’s economic identity. Its presence across various districts remains inseparable from the journey of Bangka Belitung Province.
Twenty-five years after the province was established, PT TIMAH Tbk continues to hold a strategic role in many aspects of development.
The company still contributes significantly to non-tax state revenue and regional taxation, forming one of the key pillars of Bangka Belitung’s regional budget (APBD).
To maintain the sustainability of tin resources, PT TIMAH Tbk continues developing downstream industries and transforming its operations. In line with national policy, the company is shifting toward mineral downstreaming, strengthening governance, and utilizing by-product minerals and rare earth elements, which may open new economic opportunities for Bangka Belitung.
As part of the local community, PT TIMAH Tbk consistently carries out social and environmental empowerment. Through its CSR programs, the company supports education, healthcare, MSME empowerment, public facilities, and environmental rehabilitation, ensuring that the tin industry continues to bring long-term benefits.
Beyond mining, PT TIMAH Tbk also plays a role in supporting cultural and historical identity. For the people of Bangka Belitung, PT TIMAH Tbk is not just a mining company but an institution embedded in collective memory—linked to the past, the struggles of achieving provincial status, and the region’s development journey.
One of the leaders of the Presidium for the Establishment of Bangka Belitung Province, Agus Adaw, said that long before the province existed, PT TIMAH Tbk had already contributed to the community and its presence had been felt directly.
“Before Bangka Belitung became a province, PT TIMAH Tbk had already built and contributed. For example, before South Bangka existed as a district, there was already the South Bangka area. Before West Bangka District existed, there was already a production area in Muntok. So PT TIMAH Tbk’s role began early,” he said.
He added that PT TIMAH Tbk was fully involved in supporting the establishment of Bangka Belitung Province, including through financial support.
“In the struggle to form Bangka Belitung Province, PT TIMAH Tbk played the number-one role. PT TIMAH helped financially—back then a kilo of tin was a thousand. You can imagine the production value from 1999 to 2000. That’s where the money came from,” he said.
He hopes PT TIMAH Tbk will continue to support the progress of the province.
“So if today there are people who betray or tarnish PT TIMAH Tbk, they are ungrateful. Remember, on the shoulders of every official in this province, there is a grain of tin,” he said.
Similarly, Bangka Belitung community figure Apik Chakip Rasjidi said PT TIMAH Tbk had supported development long before the region became a province.
“The tin industry built schools, built roads. We must not forget that. As a state-owned company, PT TIMAH Tbk must continue to work in synergy with the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Regional Coordinator of the South Sumatra Region of the Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI), Ikbal, said PT TIMAH Tbk’s decision to place its headquarters in Bangka Belitung shows the company’s strong commitment to being present with the community.
“PT TIMAH Tbk has been here for a long time, and its headquarters are located in Bangka Belitung. Usually, other companies only have branches here. PT TIMAH Tbk’s journey with Bangka Belitung has been remarkable, even though there have been pros and cons along the way,” he said.
In the moment of the province’s anniversary, he hopes all young people will have access to proper education, enabling Bangka Belitung to develop high-quality human resources.
“We hope not only the government but also PT TIMAH Tbk provides opportunities for all children to receive education, including those from underprivileged families. We also hope PT TIMAH Tbk will look at the potential of local talent for employment because there are many promising young people in Babel,” he said.
The Chairman of the Bangka Belitung KNPI, Zamzami, said the province is currently in a crucial transition period, with strong development foundations but still vast opportunities for growth.
Basic infrastructure such as roads, ports, and education access has improved. The tourism sector is growing rapidly, bringing positive recognition through its beaches and local culture. However, major challenges remain: economic dependence on mining, uneven development across islands, and the need for more creative job opportunities and downstream industries.
“Overall, progress is visible, but as young people we hope for more progressive steps toward a sustainable, modern economy that protects future generations,” he said.
He added that the history of Bangka Belitung and PT TIMAH Tbk is inseparable—economically, socially, and historically.
For decades, PT TIMAH Tbk has been the backbone of the region’s economy, providing jobs, contributing to regional revenue, and driving the growth of various sectors. But this journey has also come with challenges: environmental issues, uneven reclamation, and economic dependence on mining that makes transition difficult.
“Today, the public—especially the youth—expect PT TIMAH Tbk to become a mining company not only focused on production but also on the future: applying more sustainable practices, increasing transparency, and actively supporting regional economic transformation,” he said.
Looking ahead, he hopes Bangka Belitung can grow into a province not only rich in natural resources but also rich in opportunities.
“Bangka Belitung has great potential. What we need is the courage and collaboration to make it a modern and competitive province,” he said.
Meanwhile, PT TIMAH Tbk Corporate Secretary Rendi Kurniawan said the company remains committed to being a strategic partner of the government in supporting regional development.
“PT TIMAH Tbk is an inseparable part of Bangka Belitung. The company continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting the progress of the community and the province to achieve unity and empowerment,” he said.
The long history of PT TIMAH Tbk and Bangka Belitung Islands Province is a story deeply intertwined. From the colonial era, the struggle for provincial status, to today’s downstreaming and industrial transformation, PT TIMAH Tbk has remained a pillar supporting the region’s development direction.
PT TIMAH Tbk in Bangka Belitung is not only a record of the past but an important part of the region’s economic future and cultural identity. (*)
