PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk. (Astra Agro) took advantage of the Ramadan season to strengthen ties with members of the press through a joint iftar event in Balikpapan. The event also served as a forum for dialogue between the company and the media to enhance communication and synergy with stakeholders.
The event also served as an opportunity for the company to highlight various sustainability initiatives implemented in its operational areas, including community empowerment programs in East Kalimantan.
Arifin, a representative of Astra Agro’s East Kalimantan Management, stated that the media plays a crucial role in conveying accurate information to the public.
According to him, an open and constructive relationship between the company and the media must be maintained so that the public can receive comprehensive and balanced information.
“The media plays a strategic role in conveying various information to the public. Therefore, we hope that the communication we have established can continue to be strengthened,” said Arifin in Balikpapan on Tuesday (March 10).
He added that Astra Agro views sustainability as a vital part of its business operations. The company focuses not only on business performance but also on social and environmental contributions.
“A company must be able to grow alongside the surrounding community. Therefore, every operational activity is designed to provide benefits that the community can directly experience,” he said.
This commitment is also in line with Astra Agro’s Sustainability Aspirations, implemented through the 3P Roadmap strategy, which focuses on Portfolio, People, and Public Contribution.
Meanwhile, Zakaria, the Sustainability Assistant for the CSR Division in East Kalimantan, explained that various community empowerment programs continue to be implemented as part of the company’s sustainability commitment.
“Our Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) programs are designed to provide sustainable benefits to the community while strengthening the harmonious relationship between the company and the community,” he said.
He said that Astra Agro’s TJSL program is implemented through four main pillars: Astra Kreatif (economic development based on local potential), Astra Sehat (improving access to and quality of healthcare services), Astra Cerdas (improving the quality of education), and Astra Hijau (environmental conservation).
In the economic sector, the company provides assistance to MSMEs, POKDAKAN, local supplier and contractor partnerships, external TBS partnerships, farmer groups, and fisherfolk groups through capital assistance, provision of production facilities, and strengthening of business management and marketing to drive increased income and economic self-reliance among communities.
In the health sector, Astra Agro implements various programs to strengthen Posyandu (community health posts) through the provision of supplementary food (PMT) for toddlers, health check-ups for the elderly, training for health cadres, and health education as promotive and preventive measures to improve the health of mothers and children.
The company also supports the education sector by providing incentives for teaching staff, scholarship assistance, teacher competency development, mentoring for SMK Bisa, teacher internships, student and university student internships, classroom activity support, and learning resources to support teaching and learning activities in schools near its operational areas.
Meanwhile, in the environmental aspect, the company implements various initiatives such as waste management education, reducing plastic use, clean water facility assistance, mentoring and supporting community-based waste banks, reforestation, and river restoration activities that also support community activities.
These various initiatives are expected to foster community economic self-reliance, improve health and education quality, and strengthen collective awareness in preserving the environment.
Through this spirit of community engagement, Astra Agro is optimistic that harmonious relationships with stakeholders will continue to be maintained, as part of the company’s commitment to fostering synergy between the earth and humanity, for a united Indonesia.
