PHR Strengthens Community Support in Operational Areas Through GEMA Programme

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) is strengthening its social licence to operate on the island of Sumatra through the implementation of the ‘Active Community Movement’ (GEMA). The initiative aims to measure the impact of its Community Empowerment and Involvement Programme (PPM).

Throughout 2025, PHR’s Corporate Secretary function has carried out 327 programmes across 31 regencies in five provinces, reaching more than 10,000 beneficiaries with tangible impacts in the environmental, economic, wellbeing and social spheres.

The PPM programme successfully increased the income of assisted partners by up to Rp7 billion through the development of 288 MSME products, saved 170,000 kWh of energy, recycled more than 1 tonne of waste, and planted more than 89,000 terrestrial and aquatic plants across 120 hectares of land. These efforts also contributed to a reduction in emissions of 919 tonnes of CO2eq (carbon dioxide equivalent) per year.

In the wellbeing field, PHR has provided 104 vocational certification training programmes and empowered 187 persons with disabilities. On the social front, the company has developed eight ecotourism destinations, created 39 green jobs, and opened 256 new employment opportunities for local communities.

To measure the effectiveness of the programme, the Corporate Secretary function, through its Community Involvement & Development (CID) sub-function, conducted an online survey on 3 June 2026 involving 318 beneficiary representatives across 20 fields in three operational zones. The number of respondents exceeded the minimum statistical requirement based on the Slovin method, thereby providing a representative picture of community perceptions of the PPM programme.

CID Regional 1 Manager Iwan Ridwan Faizal led the socialisation, presenting operational highlights, PPM governance, and the role of local heroes in supporting programme sustainability.

One inspiring story came from Tri Ningsih, a member of the Kemuning Women Farmers Group (KWT) in Prabumulih, Zone 4. Through the Muda Bersama programme (Empowered Women, Managing Waste Together), Tri successfully mentored 13 other women’s groups through innovations in processing waste into fertiliser and herbal products. The programme not only increased the group’s monthly turnover to Rp1 million, but also promoted economic independence whilst strengthening social solidarity within the community.

The survey results showed that five of the programme’s six key performance indicators (KPIs) were achieved. The education provided also proved effective in improving public understanding of the upstream oil and gas industry. A total of 97% of participants scored above 70 in the post-test, with a regional average score of 90.92. Some 77% of participants even scored in the 90-100 range, an increase of 38% compared to the pre-test results.

The survey also revealed a high level of community acceptance of the company’s programmes. As many as 88% of respondents considered the community empowerment programmes to deliver real benefits for improving welfare, whilst also giving positive assessments of the company’s efforts to support national energy resilience and environmental conservation.

More than 90% of respondents stated they were ready to support the continuity of PHR’s operations, maintain harmonious relations with the company, and were willing to spread positive information about the empowerment programmes that have been implemented.

Beyond demonstrating high levels of satisfaction, communities also expressed hopes that the programmes would continue to be developed, particularly through strengthening MSMEs, sustained business mentoring, and expanded market access so that the economic benefits can be felt more widely.

“The company’s strategy of supporting operations through community empowerment has proven to have a significant impact. The support of our assisted partners encourages us to continue empowering communities around our operational areas,” said Iwan Ridwan Faizal in a statement issued on Thursday (16/7/2026).

PHR is therefore committed to continuing to strengthen its position as an energy company focused not only on sustainable oil and gas production, but also on inclusive community development, improved welfare, and stronger harmonious relations with stakeholders around its operational areas.