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Shouts of "Merdeka" from Kampung Seng Tangguh as Pelindo Marine Brings Award

Friday, 16 Aug 2024
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Surabaya (16/8) – "Merdeka!" shouted Suparmin, the head of RT. 12, RW. 4, Tanjung Perak Village, Surabaya, his voice amplified by a simple sound system and echoed by dozens of residents of Kampung Seng Tangguh, a community fostered by PT Pelindo Marine Service, on Friday night (16/8). This year, the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day in the village was different from previous years. The residents were filled with joy and pride as they received the news that the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) Program, implemented in partnership with Pelindo Marine in their community, had been awarded at The 4th CSR & TJSL Award 2024 by BUMN Track.

"Usually, during the Tasyakuran (Independence Day Thanksgiving Night), we only give out small prizes wrapped in paper for traditional August 17th games, mostly for the children. But this year is special because our friends from Pelindo Marine came bearing a trophy and a large certificate from a national competition for the Kampung Seng Tangguh Program. So, it truly feels like a thanksgiving night. We are grateful for Indonesia’s independence and for this shared achievement," said Suparmin after receiving the certificate, which will be displayed on the wall of the community center.

Suparmin continued, saying that by displaying the award in the community center, it will serve as a reminder and motivation for the neighborhood committee, youth activists, student mentors, and of course, friends from Pelindo Marine to continue empowering the residents. "The TJSL Program carried out by Pelindo Marine in Kampung Seng Tangguh aligns with the mandate of Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, which was read during the Tasyakuran night, encouraging residents to always remember and be enthusiastic about mutual cooperation and helping each other. This includes being open to support from those who genuinely want to help, like Pelindo Marine. This cooperation must be sustained and developed," he said.

Pelindo Marine’s Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager, Hafidz Novalsyah, after presenting the award, expressed that Pelindo Marine was delighted to personally deliver the award to the residents during the special Independence Day Thanksgiving event. "We are very proud of the extraordinary collaboration from the residents for Pelindo Marine’s TJSL Program, Kampung Seng Tangguh. This program implements three BUMN TJSL priorities simultaneously: education, environment, and the development of Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK)," he explained.

He continued, noting that several development initiatives have started to show positive results. For instance, at the Pelindo UMK Bazaar at Tanjung Perak Port earlier that morning (Friday, 16/8), food, beverages, and local snacks from Kampung Seng UMKs were sold out quickly. In the education sector, the Sirolan program (learning through play) received positive feedback. Teachers reported that some parents noticed their children were more enthusiastic about learning and more active in socializing during playtime. "The ultimate hope is that these three BUMN TJSL priorities can be sustained, thereby maximizing the empowerment and improvement of the living standards of Kampung Seng residents. A sustainable TJSL program can create self-reliance among the residents. This is the kind of independence Pelindo Marine strives to achieve for the people of Kampung Seng Tangguh," Hafidz Novalsyah explained.

In a separate occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Airlangga University and an expert in urban history, Purnawan Basundoro, confirmed the statements made by Eri Cahyadi, as quoted by Suparmin, and the views of Hafidz Novalsyah. He stated that villages are living museums of Indonesia's original culture, which is based on mutual cooperation, communal spirit, and togetherness, allowing them to endure to this day. "To ensure the sustainability of these villages requires support from various parties, including the Surabaya City Government and other institutions concerned with this issue. The involvement of Pelindo Marine in supporting various activities in these villages that promote the strengthening of cultural and social aspects should be appreciated. Through such efforts, villages as distinctive urban dwellings that still preserve Indonesia's original culture can be maintained," he explained.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Historical Society (MSI) East Java Branch added that empowering and improving the living standards of village residents must be a priority for the government. For example, involving state-owned enterprises (BUMN) to create various programs implemented in the villages is a step that should be supported. "Urban village residents can be considered vulnerable to various impacts of economic changes. If the economy declines, they are the first group to be affected. Therefore, the first effort that must be made by the government and BUMN is to strengthen their economic foundation. Only through such means can they become self-reliant. With economic independence, their quality of life will also improve," he concluded.