BANGKA BARAT – PT Timah continues to support the development of village potential in various operational areas. This initiative is part of the company’s commitment to promoting sustainable development, delivering economic impact, and empowering communities.
PT Timah has undertaken efforts to support potential development in Air Limau Village, West Bangka Regency. PT Timah has implemented several village potential development programs with the Air Limau Village Government and the community.
One such program, supported by PT Timah, is the Cepakek Educational Tourism, which has become a popular destination for visitors.
This former mining site has been transformed by the Village Government and the Tourism Awareness Group of Air Limau, with support from PT Timah, into a stunning educational tourism destination.
It’s no wonder that Kulong Cepakek has gone viral and become a popular destination for people from various regions. The presence of Kulong Cepakek has also helped Air Limau Village win various awards at the district, provincial, and national levels.
In addition to supporting the management of the Cepakek Educational Tourism site, PT Timah has also implemented various programs in Air Limau Village, such as food security programs, waste management, and community economic development initiatives.
Mexsi Diansah, the Head of Air Limau Village, explained that the Cepakek Educational Tourism initially started as a village tourism initiative by the Tourism Awareness Group and the local residents, supported by PT Timah.
"Initially, it was the self-reliance of the community and the tourism awareness group to make Kulong Cepakek a village tourism site, and then we partnered with PT Timah as a sponsor. Kulong Cepakek focuses more on environmental conservation, with endemic plants such as Pelawan, kemunting, and medicinal plants," he said.
Mexsi mentioned that PT Timah’s contribution to supporting Cepakek Educational Tourism has been extraordinary, both morally and materially.
"PT Timah’s contribution to supporting Cepakek Educational Tourism has been remarkable, truly comprehensive. From various activities, support for the waste bank, and funding for site cleaning, PT Timah has always contributed through CSR for every event held at Kulong Cepakek. It’s beyond words to describe," said Mexsi.
The Kulong Cepakek Tourism Area in Air Limau Village is an integrated area that includes several sectors, such as livestock, plantations, waste management, and endemic plants of Bangka Island.
"This is also the Village Government’s effort to create jobs for the local community through the educational tourism we have developed, while also educating them about post-tin mining," he added.
The Acting Governor of Bangka Belitung, Sugito, also visited the Kulong Cepakek educational tourism area, where he even held a coordination meeting with the Acting Regent of West Bangka, the sub-district head, and the village heads of West Bangka.
On this occasion, he expressed his appreciation to the residents of Air Limau Village for collaborating with PT Timah’s CSR program to turn Kulong Cepakek into an educational tourism site.
"Air Limau Village is one of the examples of an innovative and creative village. We appreciate the government and residents of Air Limau Village for working together with CSR, particularly PT Timah, to turn this area into an educational site. Hopefully, the collaboration created here will inspire the development of other villages in Bangka Belitung," Sugito hoped. (*)
