Pertamina Empowers Disabled Artisans in Bandung's 'Kampung Rajut'

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Kampung Rajut Binong Jati has been one of the largest knitting centres in Bandung since the 1970s. Starting from a handful of knitters, the area has continued to develop and is now known as a hub of creativity capable of turning yarn into a wide range of valuable products.

Over time, Kampung Rajut has not only preserved the knitting tradition but has also become a space for the birth of sustainable waste management innovation. Through the support of Pertamina’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme, this spirit has expanded further with the empowerment of people with disabilities gathered in the “Fable Community”.

Together with Merajut Asa Kita, knitters with disabilities gain access to raw materials, mentoring and marketing, allowing them to work from home according to their individual mobility conditions.

“We used to struggle to market our handicrafts. Now we can keep creating and have a more stable income. Here, we are seen for our abilities, not our limitations,” said Elis Juwarsi, Coordinator of the Fable Community, in an official statement on Thursday (9/7/2026).

Currently, around 10 members of the Fable Community are actively producing work. The programme not only helps meet their economic needs but also brings self-confidence and opportunities that have long been difficult to obtain in the formal working world.

Local Hero of Kampung Rajut Binong Jati, Eka Rahmat Jaya, explained that sustainability is the lifeblood of the village.

“We process knitting waste and plastic bottles back into raw materials or new products. That way, residents earn additional income whilst reducing waste,” he said.

This is the story learned by some 15 high school students from Bandung who spent their holidays as Green Warriors in Pertamina’s GreenBus programme. They learned to knit alongside the knitters, sorted knitting waste, and witnessed first-hand the process of recycling leftover yarn into valuable products.

“What struck me most was learning to sort waste and seeing that scraps can still be put to use again,” said Yasmin Hasari, a student at SMAN 12 Bandung.

Asya, from the same school, said she was delighted to learn directly from the knitters.

“It turns out knitting is fun, and there is so much new knowledge to be gained here,” she said.

Meanwhile, Steven from SMAN 5 Bandung felt the knitting experience taught him about patience and care for the environment. “We can start with simple things, like sorting waste according to its type,” he said.

Through this experience, Pertamina’s GreenBus not only delivered environmental education but also instilled values of equality and social care in the younger generation through real examples set by the knitters with disabilities in Kampung Rajut Binong Jati.

Pertamina’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, added that the success of the Social and Environmental Responsibility programme is measured not only by economic benefits but also by how far the programme is able to open equal opportunities for all levels of society.

“Through empowering knitters with disabilities in Kampung Rajut Binong Jati, we want to prove that inclusivity and sustainability can go hand in hand and create lasting benefits for society,” said Baron.

Baron hopes the programme can continue to grow as an empowerment ecosystem connecting social, economic and environmental aspects.

“When people are given the opportunity to create and be independent, at the same time we are also building a more inclusive and sustainable future,” Baron concluded.