PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL) representatives showed residents how to make ongol-ongol
MERAUKE – Sago is a staple food from Papua, which is famous for its taste, rich carbohydrate content, and easy availability. As an ingredient, it’s often used in local dishes like papeda (sago congee) and sago sep (steamed sago in banana leaves), but it can be combined to make other regional foods, like West Java’s ongol-ongol. Similar to a mochi cake, this sweet treat was the main star of PT Papua Agro Lestari (PAL)’s latest cooking demonstration on Saturday (26/11). This time, the lucky participants were the Mutimangge people in Ulilin District, Merauke Regency, South Papua.
Ongol-ongol typically consists of tapioca starch and palm sugar, but its texture remains chewy, even when the flour base is changed. To make this confection, one can mix the sago flour and melted palm sugar in a heated bowl, then knead them until they form a solid, elastic dough. Once it’s done, this dough can be cut into smaller blocks to serve with salty coconut flakes.
Through this cake-making demonstration, PT PAL hopes to inspire the local community to create their own sago cuisine, which can later be consumed or traded to boost the economy.
At the same event, PT PAL held free health checkup and treatment. Given the village’s distance from the nearest medical facility, this service allowed locals to get the medical care they needed. “With this, we aim to strengthen our bond with the Mutimangge people,” said Sutisna, PPA MGT PR Manager.
Free-of-charge treatment from PT PAL’s clinic
As part of the company’s Corporate Social Contribution (CSC) program, the activities ended with a handover ceremony of 10 fishing net packages, which PT PAL gave to support the village economy. “I am really grateful for the visit,” said Mutimangge community figure, Yeremias Maikuin.
PT PAL is a part of TSE Group, which engages in palm oil plantation business in Papua. PT PAL is committed to practicing sustainable palm oil governance and keeps innovating in an effort to prioritize fulfilling its environmental and social responsibility. (Fionny/Bryan/PR)
Free-of-charge treatment from PT PAL’s clinic
All the participants of the health service took a group photo
