Home Affairs Ministry hopes mining companies in Kolaka empower local residents

Kolaka (ANTARA) - The Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) hopes that mining companies in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra), will empower local communities to curb unemployment rates.

Head of General Affairs (Kabag) of BSKDN Kemendagri, Faesal Syarif, stated when met in Kolaka on Thursday that collaboration between local government and the private sector is the key to fostering economic independence for the community.

“The central government appreciates the local government for collaborating with PT IPIP in successfully reducing unemployment figures. It is hoped that this will enhance the economy in this region,” Faesal said during a field visit to the IPIP industrial area.

He explained that the visit aimed to validate Kolaka Regency’s success in ranking among the nation’s top-performing regions for expanding employment opportunities.

He mentioned that based on data presented by the Kolaka Regency government, out of a total of 9,123 registered job seekers, 6,000 individuals have successfully been absorbed into the workforce.

Of that absorption, PT IPIP provided the dominant contribution by employing 5,405 workers.

“The purpose of our visit is to validate what the local government has presented against the facts on the ground,” Faesal stated.

Faesal emphasised that PT IPIP’s massive absorption of local workers represents a concrete step in community empowerment that must be sustained.

He added that this synergy is expected not only to suppress unemployment but also to positively impact micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) around the industrial area.

CEO of PT IPIP, Mr Ning Jian Cheng, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting regional economic growth through investments and the implementation of social programmes as a contribution to the community.

He also reaffirmed that the company is committed to always providing job opportunities for the people of Kolaka and surrounding areas.

“We are committed to supporting regional development and the welfare of the Kolaka community,” said Ning Jian Cheng.

Based on company data, throughout 2025, 5,405 workers were absorbed by PT IPIP, with a composition of 3,651 local workers and 1,754 non-local workers.