Ready to Welcome Rp 100 Trillion Investment Plan

Merauke – The Head of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency of South Papua Province, Petrus Assem, revealed that out of 10 companies planning to invest in sugarcane plantations in Merauke, only two are currently operational, namely PT Global Papua Abadi and PT Murni.

“The sugarcane project in Merauke is included in the National Strategic Project (PSN). The PSN is managed by the Ministry of Investment of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Petrus Assem to this media at the South Papua Government Centre, Salor Merauke, on Monday (20/4) previously. He stated that the 10 companies planning to invest in sugarcane form a consortium with all funds sourced from the private sector, with a planned investment value of Rp 100 trillion, down from a previous Rp 150 trillion. “The planned investment is worth Rp 100 trillion, reduced from Rp 150 trillion, covering an area of around 500,000 hectares,” he said.

Petrus Assem explained that the sugarcane planting in Merauke is for the sugar industry, with derivative products including bioethanol to power electric generators with an estimated capacity of 300 MW. “Of the 300 MW, it is planned that 100 MW will be for the general public, while 200 MW will power the industry,” he said. Petrus Assem also explained that to date, the area of land cleared totals 9,000 hectares, located in two places: Sermayam in Tanah Miring District, covering 7,000 hectares, and Jagebob, covering 2,000 hectares.

“They are still continuing to plant sugarcane to obtain seeds that will subsequently be planted again,” he clarified. As for the processing plant, he continued, it will be built and is planned to begin operations in 2027. “Currently, the number of local people recruited, either as employees or daily casual workers, is around 4,000. The community is pleased to have income. Additionally, children’s education and local community health are provided free of charge by the company,” he emphasised.