IDR 127 Million in Aid Distributed to Vulnerable Communities Near Balikpapan Refinery

PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan (KPB) held an interfaith prayer gathering and distributed social assistance to the community as an expression of gratitude and a hope that the refinery’s operations continue to run smoothly, safely, and reliably in supporting national energy resilience. The event, which took place in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, was attended by various community elements and served as a moment to pray for the safety of workers and the sustainability of the refinery’s operations, which play a vital role in supplying energy for Indonesia. Taufik Aditiyawarman, Vice President Director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, stated that the joint prayer was part of an effort to strengthen the spirit of togetherness while seeking blessings for the smooth operation of all units at the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery. “May all units at the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery operate without hindrance, produce products according to specifications, and may all workers always be granted protection, health, and safety,” said Taufik. As a form of social care, Pertamina Patra Niaga also distributed aid worth IDR 127 million to 250 vulnerable individuals, including orphans, the underprivileged, and persons with disabilities in Balikpapan City and Penajam Paser Utara Regency. The assistance was provided to various social and religious institutions, ranging from Islamic boarding schools, orphanages, child welfare institutions, Christian and Catholic communities, to disability organisations such as the Indonesian Women with Disabilities Association (HWDI) and the Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities (PPDI) Balikpapan. This activity is part of the Pertamina Berkah programme, which is held simultaneously across various company operational areas. In addition to Balikpapan, the programme was also conducted in eight other regions and six other refinery operational areas. Nationally, the total aid distributed through the Pertamina Berkah programme reached IDR 1 billion. The assistance was given to around 100 foundations and reached approximately 4,000 beneficiaries in various regions. One of the beneficiaries, Sister Yohana MASF from LKSA Tabita Putri, expressed her appreciation for the assistance provided by Pertamina Patra Niaga. According to her, the aid will help meet various needs of the children under the institution’s care. “This assistance is very beneficial for meeting the needs of the children in our orphanage, from daily necessities to education. We are very grateful for this aid,” she said. Similar appreciation was conveyed by Afif Irpan Kamil, Secretary of the Nurul Iman Orphanage. He expressed hope that the operations of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery would continue to run smoothly and that all workers would always be granted protection and safety in carrying out their duties. He also hoped that the energy produced by the refinery would continue to benefit the community and support national energy needs. Through this prayer gathering and aid distribution, Pertamina not only reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the reliability of refinery operations but also strengthens its social contribution to communities around its operational areas.