Photo: Local boys perform the Cakalele, a Maluku traditional war dance that signifies heroism and valor

SOUTH HALMAHERA – On Monday (8/17/2026), PT Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM) partook in the 81^st Independence Day celebration in Sekely Village (South Halmahera), deepening its connection with immediate communities.

The lively affair — featuring various activities involving village members — marked an opportunity for commemoration, stronger unity, and cultural showcase.

Event standouts included traditional art performances, such as the Cakalele (a Maluku war dance signifying heroism and valor) and the Lalayon (a dance depicting love and romance between human couples). The latter is a staple at local events, from weddings and welcome ceremonies to other kinds of customary celebrations.

GMM sought to honor the ways the Sekelys protect these art forms, while building a relationship with the community as part of efforts to connect with the people it serves.

Company representative Yusup Sukarta said preserving culture is central to preserving shared identity and strengthening the bond among local community members.

“We have deep appreciation for those who continue to safeguard and promote local dances and ways of life. For us, preserving culture is not just about upholding traditions, but also ensuring that younger generations are familiar with and take pride in this heritage.”

Photo: Young girls demonstrate the Lalayon dance, which depicts love and romance between human couples. This dance is mostly performed at weddings, welcome ceremonies, and other traditional celebrations

As times change, there’s a growing need for traditional arts spaces. It’s crucial that everyone works together to keep these forms alive in the minds of future generations, Yusup added.

GMM hopes regional arts and culture will remain thriving — allowing young people to discover, learn about, and protect them.

By paying attention to culture, the company strengthens its synergy with local communities. This is made possible by participating in impactful social and community initiatives across its location. (*)

The HGU transfer process was carried out by upholding the principles of FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent), facilitated by an independent consultant, AZ Law Office Conflict Resolution Center. The community expressed its consent to the proposed HGU transfer for plasma plantation development. Currently, Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative holds the HGU certificate following the official issuance of the HGU transfer permit from PT PAL by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) of the Republic of Indonesia.

Following the issuance of the official decree (SK) and HGU certificate, Inggyash Ghuzi Cooperative will proceed with the development and independent management of the plasma plantation together with its appointed implementation partner, PT Bina Papua Luhurkarya.

PT Papua Agro Lestari will continue its commitment to supporting sustainable community development through its Corporate Social Contributions (CSC) programs. This commitment is part of the company’s philosophy to build harmonious, beneficial, and sustainable relationships with communities and stakeholders for mutual progress and prosperity.

Sincerely,
Tunas Sawa Erma Group Management

 –

For More Information, contact:

Public Relations Division

Email: pr@tsegroup.co.id

PHOTO: Local farmers have now been entrusted to manage PT GMM’s plasma land through the Gane Bersatu Primary Oil Palm Cooperative. This management entails plantation upkeep and harvesting that will benefit communities financially

TERNATE – PT Gelora Mandiri Membangun (GMM) has officially transferred the management of its 245.67-hectare plasma land to Gane Bersatu Primary Oil Palm Cooperative (KSU-PPS Gane Bersatu). This handover was marked by a launch of the mandatory community plantation development program on Monday (8/10/2026) at the South Halmahera regent’s office hall.

Participating in the ceremony was South Halmahera’s Vice Regent Helmi Umar Muchsin, who said the plasma land — previously part of GMM’s plantation — had now been entrusted to local farmers for cultivation and harvesting.

“This shows how GMM’s presence in South Halmahera truly improves the lives of immediate communities, not only its own financial performance,” said Helmi.

He hoped for a stronger partnership with the company, cooperative, and people going forward. Good communication and coordination are integral to plasma land management, he said, as it involves authorities from various sectors and is mandated by various regulations.

GMM’s Director, Jibae Park, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to conducting all legal and administrative processes tied to land-use legality in line with the law.

“Today, we have handed over the [land] management responsibilities [to the cooperative],” Park stated. “Onwards, let’s preserve the trust we have in each other to ensure productive, transparent, legally compliant, and impactful operations.”

The mandatory community plantation development program, or FKPM, has been much anticipated since 2016. By managing the plasma land, the 541 members of KSU-PPS Gane Bersatu expect to gain financial benefits, hence improving their lives across the five villages of Gane Dalam, Jibubu, Sekely, Yomen, and Yamli.

Mahdi Mhd Nur, the cooperative’s leader, praised GMM’s commitment. He voiced hopes of increased cooperation, especially with the regency government on land certification and other administrative processes.

This transfer of management thus signifies a key step toward strengthening a multisectoral collaboration aimed at driving sustainable, profitable plantation management. (Antara)

Source: ambon.antaranews.com

Photo: TSE Group’s Social Education program offers general lessons aimed at shaping character

BOVEN DIGOEL – Every child deserves quality education — but not all get the same opportunity. In many isolated communities, proper access to school remains a harrowing issue.

Driven by compassion, Papua-based company TSE Group takes the initiative to provide support for local children. This support takes the shape of long-term social programs, including Social Education.

“Education lays the groundwork to building quality, competitive Papuan talents. Everyone has the potential to grow and achieve their dreams if allowed proper education,” said TSE Group’s General Manager, Daniel Sim Ayomi. “We hope [that] students develop a passion for learning and confidence [through] Social Education. This way, they can continue the work of earlier generations to bring positive changes to Papua.”

The program itself has brought a change of atmosphere to numerous schools in Boven Digoel and Merauke. Its content goes beyond standard textbook material, offering general lessons that shape character.

Fun, engaging learning is the key focus of Social Education. TSE Group uses interactive teaching methods, such as educational games, a prized quiz, and light discussions to boost class enthusiasm.

Photo: The company team uses interactive teaching methods, such as educational games, a prized quiz, and light discussions to boost class enthusiasm

Lesson topics span from the dangers of drug use, underage promiscuity, to maintaining good mental health.

These topics are chosen to cultivate a sense of morality and protect Papuan youth from negative peer influences.

“We highly appreciate TSE Group’s initiative. It’s a great program, allowing our students to benefit from broadening their horizons and building good character. I hope these events continue so that they can create a broader impact on the schoolgoers here,” said Alfrida Ira Lete, a teacher at Jair Public Junior High (SMP Negeri Jair) on Thursday (7/30/2026).

This recognition from local educators encourages the company to deliver more impactful programs. For TSE Group, education means more than a transfer of knowledge — it fosters hope and opens opportunities for the younger generation to have a better future. (PR)

Photo: Young clan members partake in a month-long intensive training program seeking to improve job readiness and job-specific skills and knowledge

MERAUKE – TSE Group subsidiary PT Papua Agro Lestari is pushing for local talent development through its Job Competency Training Program launched Thursday (7/23/2026). This initiative targets young members of clan communities living outside PAL’s site with a focus on strengthening their competitive edge.

For a month, participants will learn the knowledge and skills to manage oil palm plantations. The first week will cover the essentials of plantation operations, including industry basics, cultivation techniques, as well as safety and health practices.

Meanwhile, the rest of the program will be allocated to applying the lessons learned and familiarizing oneself with the actual production process through an internship at PAL.

Job Competency Training Program is expected to better prepare participants for the job market, giving them the necessary abilities and mindset in addition to a stronger competitive advantage, said PAL’s manager Hasanuddin Patirroy at the program’s launch at PAL’s office in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency.

“We hope everyone can gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for employment. What our participants learn here can also help them start their own business,” Hasanuddin added.

This initiative is part of efforts to improve local workforce quality while expanding job and entrepreneurship opportunities for the younger generation.

Photo: Job Competency Training Program is part of the company’s efforts to improve local workforce quality

Michael Gakuin, whose child joins the training, praised the company for the chance given to local youth.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Gakuin said, also on behalf of the immediate community. “We’re grateful for PT PAL’s concern for the future of our kids. We hope they [the kids] can make the most of the program.”

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate to ease their entry into the workforce. Job Competency Training Program aims to enhance competencies and confidence, empowering local youth to become competent, self-reliant, and competitive. (PR)

Photo: Environmental warning signs are erected at various points inside the forest to boost public awareness of nature protection

BOVEN DIGOEL – PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) is supporting indigenous efforts to preserve local forests and wildlife in Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua. This commitment recently took the form of an educational outreach session and the installation of anti-poaching signs in poaching-prone areas within a customary forest belonging to the Irowop Kawab clan.

These initiatives were born out of community concerns about illegal hunting and its threat to forest sustainability. For indigenous settlements, this ecosystem holds ecological, social, cultural, and spiritual values, and is a treasure passed down through generations. Protection efforts are therefore crucial to maintaining the balance between forest species and safeguarding cultural principles ​​from being eroded by practices such as poaching and other illicit activities.

“We’re very grateful to the company for supporting our efforts to guard our forests and heritage,” said Edy Kawab on behalf of the clan in mid-July.

Indigenous participation is an important component of conservation work, said TSE’s Assistant Manager, Yohanes Sada Nanlohi. This is particularly considering the direct connection between these communities and their territories, of which the forest is a part.

“By collaborating with the Irowop Kawab clan on this sign installation project, we [aim to] demonstrate the synergy between companies and indigenous communities in ensuring environmental protection,” Yohanes added. “This initiative aligns with TSE Group’s efforts to work with customary land rights holders to carry out its social and environmental programs.”

Photo: TSE representatives team up with members of the local community to set up warning signs. These signs aim to encourage the preservation of forest areas

This is on top of actions taken by the company to implement sustainable plantation management. Through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy, TSE Group strives to protect local biodiversity and prevent the hunting of protected fauna — as well as those vital to the ecosystems in Papua, including the pig-nosed turtles and the birds-of-paradise.

The company also continues to strengthen its activities to maintain High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and run conservation programs through the Papua Conservation initiative.

With this recent event with the Irowop Kawab clan, TSE Group hopes to improve customary forest and biodiversity safeguards, while raising public awareness on poaching and protecting Papua’s natural wealth for future generations. (PR)

Photo: IPB University team doing biodiversity monitoring at a conservation area near TSE Group’s operational site in South Papua. This activity supports endemic fauna protection efforts in the region

MERAUKE – Papua Conservation, the biodiversity project by IPB University and Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, enters a new chapter. Recently, it reached its fifth year of research in the conservation area around TSE Group’s operational site in South Papua.

This area includes High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests previously identified by the company. Such places are home to the local endemic wildlife — particularly the greater birds-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) and pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta).

“We believe effective conservation is supported by scientific research and data. Through [our] collaboration with IPB University, we hope to enrich public understanding of the ecological diversity in Papua, while improving the systems that manage conservation areas around our site,” said Luwy Leunufna, TSE Group’s director on Friday (7/8/2026).

Papua Conservation partly focuses on the greater birds-of-paradise, with observational activities centered around a critical period in the annual migration cycle. It’s this period when birds of various species travel to warmer regions, readying themselves before the breeding season.

With this in mind, the project later conducted a 40-day study on lekking, a behavior in which male birds-of-paradise dance to attract female counterparts.

Another focus of Papua Conservation is the pig-nosed turtles. Following a previous examination of this High Conservation Value species, Prof. Ani Mardiastuti, Dr. Yeni Aryati Mulyani, and six other members of the research team will track their reproductive behavior.

Monitoring enclosures will be installed around the habitat as the team undergoes each stage of the intensive observation period (mating, egg-laying, and hatching). This activity is scheduled to be completed after approximately 90 days to enable comprehensive data collection.

The research team will also interview local community members and deploy Global Positioning System (GPS) devices in their study of the turtles’ movement patterns and activity in the water. They hope to gain insight into the turtles’ home range, habitat preferences, and daily routine.

Papua Conservation’s fifth anniversary demonstrates that academia-private sector partnerships can contribute to biodiversity conservation and viability in Papua. This ongoing project is expected to provide stronger data to reinforce conservation area management and wildlife protection initiatives. (PR)

Photo: PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE)’s clinic doctor Wulan In Suci Mandasari gingerly checks on a Butiptiri child (7/5/2026)

SOUTH PAPUA – For the Butiptiris, a trip to the doctor normally begins with the whir of boat engines. But on Sunday, July 5, 2026, things were a little different — one could queue for a free check-up and treatment right in their hometown.

Courtesy of PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE), this mobile clinic is a blessing for locals, especially children and the elderly, said Butiptiri representative Magdalena Kenggi. No longer do they have to sail a long way to obtain health services.

Going to the nearest health center has always meant traveling along the Kao River and across the swamp forest Rawa Betik. This huge distance between the village and facility — coupled with harsh geographic conditions and lack of transportation — has led to delayed screenings and worsening symptoms.

TSE’s visit to the tiny settlement in Jair District, Boven Digoel Regency, is part of Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) initiatives aiming to address this issue. The event on Sunday (7/5/2026) included basic physical examination, consultation, and medicine provision based on the examination results. Not only that, patients got to learn about clean, healthy habits.

“Coughs and colds are most common among children, while body aches and high blood pressure, or hypertension, are more prevalent in adult and older patients,” said dr. Wulan In Suci Mandasari from the TSE clinic team.

To the mobile clinic guests, she suggested adopting a healthier lifestyle, which entails a balanced, nutritious diet, proper rest, maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, as well as routine health checks.

Photo: The clinic team strengthens their bond with the community during the screening and treatment

Through regular health outreach sessions, TSE strives to support health improvements and close the gap in medical access, especially for the rural, isolated areas of South Papua. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to enhancing quality of life across local communities.

“We hope this program will help people reach medical care more easily and practice daily healthy habits,” said Esau Abraham Irioma, a manager at TSE.

The clinic’s presence proves that healthcare has become closer to those it serves — no need for tedious journeys through swamps or rivers. (PR)

Photo: A PT Dongin Prabhawa (DP) representative and Tagaepe locals attach a protected area sign inside the village’s protected zone. This initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to preventing poaching and protecting native species. It’s also part of the company’s CSC programs focused on environmental preservation and sustainable development

SOUTH PAPUA – PT Dongin Prabhawa (DP) reiterated its commitment to practicing sustainable oil palm farming through a series of events held on Tuesday (6/27/2026) in Tagaepe Village, Merauke Regency.

Hundreds of people of all ages participated in the Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) initiative, which not only included free health services, but also an educational session on environmental preservation and wildlife protection — along with the installation of a warning sign to deter poaching.

Excitement was felt throughout the day, and the audience’s warm response reflected shared vision and efforts to build healthier, more prosperous lives.

“These events help us be more aware of environmental hygiene, riparian zone protection, and the importance of not hunting protected animals to ensure their longevity,” said Melianus Samkakai, the village secretary.

Forests are a valuable legacy and must be safeguarded by everyone, said DP’s ISPO Manager, Imam Purwono. Involving young people in this work would be best for ensuring the long-term survival of forests and natural ecosystems as a whole.

Photo: The company clinic also takes part in the outreach event at Tagaepe, where members provide free health screening and treatment

“Here, we do more than provide free healthcare. [Through our ISPO team], we help build environmental awareness by educating everyone about the need to preserve local protected species and the threats posed by illegal hunting and habitat destruction.”

DP’s CSC programs take into account economic, social, and environmental interests, enabling the company to address community needs and strengthen preservation efforts for future generations.

Such programs also demonstrate a dedication to expanding beyond business operations, with DP seeking to become a regional development partner in South Papua, making tangible contributions to community quality of life and environmental sustainability. (PR)

Photo: PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL) holds an education session on wildfire mitigation and endemic species conservation at Rawa Kasat Village, Ulilin District

SOUTH PAPUA – PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL), a subsidiary of Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, introduced wildfire mitigation to Rawa Kasat Village in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, on Saturday (6/27/2026).

This initiative is part of efforts to raise greater awareness of proactive forest and ground fire control, which is increasingly crucial ahead of El Niño, a phenomenon bringing drier weather and increased risks of fires.

During the session, locals learned the steps to prevention, which include identifying influencing factors, understanding the importance of protecting forest areas from fire-inducing activities, and knowing how to report fire spots found in surrounding areas.

“Our mission is to enlighten everyone, [particularly] about the dangers of wildfires since we may be dealing with El Niño for a long time,” said Hassabudin Pattiroy, a manager at PAL.

Aside from mitigation, the company talked about preserving the lives of endemic species, which have high ecological value.

Through this activity, PAL is shaping a mindset that sees biodiversity protection as the backbone of ecological balance. Locals are encouraged to avoid actions harming the ecosystem, such as reckless land burning and poaching.

“We’re grateful for this session. [Having this] knowledge on mitigation will be incredibly helpful, especially when climate conditions keep changing,” said Louis Payes Maikuin, a well-known community leader in Rawa Kasat.

Meanwhile, endemic wildlife conservation is part of PAL’s sustainability commitments, which the company upholds at its location. Annual outreach sessions are held on this topic to educate the public and strengthen environmental consciousness among the people.

By synergizing efforts with local communities, PAL hopes to create a fire-free living environment and safeguard local flora and fauna for the sake of future generations. (PR)