SP Pegadaian and 98 Resolution Promote Social Solidarity for Bantargebang Waste Pickers

The Pegadaian Workers’ Union (SP Pegadaian), together with the 98 Resolution Network and the Indonesian Waste Pickers Association (IPI), held a joint event with waste picker communities in Bantargebang, Bekasi, West Java. The event, held in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence, featured various competitions and communal activities involving hundreds of waste pickers.

SP Pegadaian Chairman Mufri Yandi said the event provided a space for Pegadaian employees to interact and build relationships with the community, including waste pickers. “We greatly appreciate this activity initiated together with IPI. The competitions are not merely entertainment, but a means to gather, laugh together and strengthen brotherhood,” Mufri said in a statement on Sunday (23/8/2026).

According to Mufri, community activities need to be continuously developed through various social programmes that encourage mutual cooperation and interaction among residents. “Let us build brotherhood, strengthen mutual cooperation and nurture the spirit of togetherness. Together we are strong, united we are great. This is not just a slogan, but a spirit that we must practise in daily life,” he said.

98 Resolution Network Coordinator Haris Rusly Moti said the event was part of the ‘Warga Peduli Warga’ (Citizens Caring for Citizens) movement initiated by the network. The movement aims to build awareness and mutual cooperation, particularly towards communities that remain economically vulnerable. “This agenda is still part of the ‘Warga Peduli Warga’ movement. We have considerable concern for the fate of waste picker communities who remain highly vulnerable economically,” he said.

98 Resolution Network activist Rahman Toha Budiarto said the event with waste picker communities served as a space to strengthen social solidarity. “We want to nurture the spirit of unity. Let us build friendship, togetherness and care without distinguishing backgrounds. Indonesia is strong because its people are united,” he said.

Rahman also touched on several government programmes which he said were aimed at helping poor and marginalised groups, including the Free Nutritious Meals programme (MBG) and the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives. “The government created MBG and the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (KDKMP) solely to help all of us ordinary people, ensuring that access to nutritious food can be fulfilled and including the right to affordable food availability,” he said.

IPI Chairwoman Pris Polly D. Lengkong said the Independence Day commemoration could also serve as a space for waste picker communities to gather and experience a celebratory atmosphere together. “The spirit of independence must be felt by all members of society, including our waste picker brothers and sisters. Through this event, we want to show that togetherness and unity can bring positive energy to the community,” she said.

The event, held in the courtyard of the BPP IP Bantargebang office on Sunday (23/8/2026), was attended by hundreds of waste pickers. Various traditional independence day competitions were held, while also serving as a space for interaction between waste pickers, workers, activists and other elements of society. The Bantargebang event became a meeting point for various elements of society in an atmosphere of independence commemoration.