Through Lou Bentian, ITMG Strengthens Communal Space for Dayak Residents in West Kutai
The traditional longhouse of the Dayak Bentian tribe, Lou Bentian, is no longer just a cultural symbol in Bentian Besar subdistrict, West Kutai regency, East Kalimantan. The customary building has also evolved into a social space and community empowerment facility utilised for various residents’ activities.
Lou Bentian’s presence is increasingly actively used for inter-village meetings, training, religious activities, arts and culture, as well as customary events. In April 2026, the longhouse will also serve as the venue for a deliberation of customary leaders together with the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) to discuss various community activity plans.
Behind its utilisation as a communal space, the construction of Lou Bentian has received support from the business sector. PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG) or ITM, through its subsidiary PT Trubaindo Coal Mining (TCM), initiated the construction of the longhouse as a representation of the nine villages in Bentian Besar.
“We thank ITM’s initiative through its subsidiaries TCM, BEK, and TIS for building Lou Bentian and encouraging the empowerment of this facility for the development and preservation of the culture and traditions of the Bentian community in particular and West Kutai in general,” said the Chairman of Pokdarwis and a Bentian community figure, retired AKP Lorensius, in his statement on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
“May this initiative also strengthen our silaturahmi and togetherness as an indigenous community,” Lorensius continued.
The word “Lou” in the Bentian language means longhouse. However, for the Dayak Bentian community, the building is not merely a gathering place, but also a representation of identity, traditions, and the spirit of gotong royong passed down across generations.
In its development process, support also involved ITM’s other subsidiaries in the Melak area, namely PT Bharinto Ekatama (BEK) and PT Tepian Indah Sukses (TIS).
Physically, Lou Bentian is constructed with the concept of a traditional Dayak tribe longhouse spanning 50 metres and supported by around 300 ulin wood pillars known for their high strength and durability.
The customary house also has nine rooms that symbolise the nine villages in Bentian Besar. Meanwhile, the main room is designed to be spacious and open to support various communal activities of the community.
The presence of traditional ornaments on the building further emphasises the Dayak Bentian cultural identity inherent in the longhouse.
Therefore, the longhouse is expected to continue developing into a centre for social, cultural, and community empowerment activities in Bentian Besar.
With the historical value and distinctive longhouse architecture, Lou Bentian is also expected to provide broader benefits for the surrounding community. In addition to being a cultural symbol, the building is utilised as a collaboration space to strengthen community togetherness while encouraging the emergence of various positive initiatives in Bentian Besar and its surroundings.
In line with its involvement in the construction of Lou Bentian, PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM) is an Indonesian energy company with an integrated business scope that includes mining, energy services, and renewable energy.
ITM produces thermal coal with varying qualities to meet customer needs in various countries, while also conducting coal trading activities for its energy services business.
Amid its business transformation direction, ITM is also developing its portfolio in the renewable energy sector and strategic minerals, as well as carrying out innovations to create more responsible business operations.
These steps are said to align with the company’s commitment to align business activities with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, sustainable development, and the creation of value for stakeholders.