PANGKALPINANG -- As part of its commitment to strengthening rural economies and supporting community welfare and empowerment, PT Timah has distributed business capital assistance to 18 Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) across the Bangka Belitung Islands Province.
The aid was handed over directly by PT Timah’s President Director, Restu Widiyantoro, alongside the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Yandri Susanto; Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence of the Indonesian Attorney General's Office, Reda Manthovani; and Acting Governor of Bangka Belitung, Hidayat Arsani. The handover took place during the event on Optimizing Village Fund Management and the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between City/Regency Governments across Bangka Belitung and Heads of District Attorney Offices under the jurisdiction of the Bangka Belitung High Prosecutor’s Office, along with the CSR handover from PT Timah to village heads, held in the Pasir Padi Hall of the Bangka Belitung Governor’s Office on Thursday (July 3, 2025).
This business capital support is part of PT Timah’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program, focusing on developing a people-centered economy and strengthening the role of BUMDes as engines of village economic growth, job creation, and sustainable improvement of local livelihoods.
This initiative aligns with the sixth goal of the national development vision — building from villages and the grassroots level to achieve economic equality and reduce poverty. By empowering BUMDes, the program aims to foster inclusive growth, reduce disparities, and create advanced, independent, and prosperous villages.
Minister Yandri Susanto stated that villages manage various funding sources, including the Village Fund, Red and White Cooperatives, the Free Nutritious Meal Program, and CSR from companies. If managed well, these funds can stimulate economic activity from the village level.
“It’s great to see the BUMDes recipients are involved in livestock and agriculture. We will support village development through CSR. PT Timah’s assistance is part of our synergy, and monitoring will be carried out by the Attorney General’s Office,” he said.
He also hopes that PT Timah’s CSR can in the future contribute to food security in support of the Free Nutritious Meal Program.
“We pray for PT Timah’s continued growth and success. Hopefully, the CSR program can be aligned with agricultural programs to support food security,” he added.
Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence, Reda Manthovani, expressed appreciation for PT Timah’s support for BUMDes in the province, which is expected to stimulate the village economy.
“Thank you to PT Timah for providing CSR support to help drive the rural economy. These grants must be clearly allocated, even if they are donations — their use must be transparent,” he emphasized.
Acting Governor of Bangka Belitung, Hidayat Arsani, said PT Timah’s CSR support for BUMDes is a good example of collaboration for village development.
“This is a good example. Hopefully, other companies like those in palm oil, Pertamina, PLN will follow suit. But all assistance must follow proper procedures,” he said.
PT Timah’s President Director, Restu Widiyantoro, explained that supporting BUMDes is one of the company’s strategies to encourage economic self-reliance in villages.
“BUMDes have great potential to become pillars of the local economy. Through this support, we hope BUMDes can develop productive and innovative business units that significantly contribute to increasing the income of village communities,” he said.
Restu also expressed hope that BUMDes would make the most of this assistance to open new business opportunities, boost local economic capacity, and create jobs in rural areas.
“We also ask for support and prayers for PT Timah so we can continue our business operations. Thank you for the synergy and collaboration that has been established — may it continue and help PT Timah improve its performance and contribution to society, the nation, and the country,” he added.
One of the BUMDes receiving support, Tasmat Yuan, Director of BUMDes Mitra Harapan Bertuah in Belitung Regency, said the assistance from PT Timah would be used to expand the BUMDes' business operations.
Currently, the enterprise runs an LPG gas business and egg-laying chicken farming, and they plan to open a restaurant. However, limited funding has been a major obstacle to their expansion.
“We’ve had plans to start a restaurant for a while, but funding has been a challenge. Alhamdulillah, with PT Timah’s support, we can finally realize this plan. We really appreciate this assistance,” he said. (\*)
