PT Trubaindo Coal Mining (TCM), a subsidiary of PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM), won the 2025 Subroto Award from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for the Most Innovative Community Development and Empowerment Program (PPM) in the Socio-Cultural Category.
TCM is one of six award recipients from the Coal mining sector for the Most Innovative PPM Sector. A total of 145 companies holding IUP/IUPK in Indonesia are the objects of assessment in this category.
This award was given for TCM’s success in achieving PPM performance for the 2024 period based on the RKAB and efforts to preserve the traditional Sarut of the Dayak Benuaq tribe which combines efforts to preserve local culture, empower the community’s economy, and use technology to encourage optimization of product marketing.
The Subroto Award is the highest form of appreciation from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to various parties who have contributed significantly to advancing the energy and mineral resources sector in Indonesia with a series of selections which include administrative selection and completeness of documents, technical assessment of the substance of the PPM program through presentations, and field verification.
In his remarks, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia expressed his gratitude to stakeholders for their good performance during President Prabowo Subianto’s one year leadership period.
“We cannot achieve all of this (good achievements) without the help of business people. For this reason, I have to convey from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your contribution,” said Bahlil Lahadalia.
ITM President Director Mulianto, who received the award directly, said that this achievement was clear proof of the synergy between the company and the community in maintaining socio-cultural sustainability in the operational area.
“We believe that the success of preserving local culture such as the Sarut Dayak Benuaq is an important part of social sustainability which must go hand in hand with environmental and economic performance. This program reflects the values that we uphold throughout all ITM subsidiaries in building harmony between business and society,” said Mulianto in an official statement, quoted on Friday (31/10).
Responding to the Subroto Award trophy won, Head of Mining Engineering TCM Danang Sabto Nugroho said that this award was recognition of the efforts and hard work of all stakeholders in supporting economic and cultural sustainability for the communities around the mine.
“Preserving Sarut Wastra is a manifestation of our commitment and desire to ensure that local cultural heritage is not only sustainable, but also provides economic value and pride for the Dayak Benuaq community. This award is a form of appreciation for all parties involved and working hard in the Sarut preservation program in West Kutai Regency. Hopefully this will be new motivation and energy for all of us to continue to present the PPM Empowerment program which has an optimal impact on the community,” concluded Danang.
The traditional sarut of the Dayak Benuaq tribe, which has been passed down from generation to generation in West Kutai, East Kalimantan, is now facing challenges due to modernization, declining interest from the younger generation, and limited market access.
As a form of social responsibility and commitment to socio-cultural sustainability, TCM is developing Sarut conservation innovations through a Community Development and Empowerment Program (PPM) approach with various strategies, including diversification of Sarut fabric products, embedding QR Codes containing meanings and motif stories, use of environmentally friendly materials, as well as an annual Sarut festival held with the West Kutai Regency Government since 2021.
Until 2025, the Sarut Conservation program by TCM and Kiai Panei Penguntai Lawei (KP2L) Damai District has involved 17 villages/villages and 22 groups of Sarut craftsmen in a number of villages in TCM operational ring 1 and 2 areas. The majority of members of the craftsmen group are women who now have increased capacity, income and wider market access.
This program has also succeeded in encouraging cultural regeneration, with Sarut art now included in the local content curriculum in primary and secondary schools in the Damai area. In addition, ten Sarut motifs have been registered and copyrighted, becoming an important milestone for the recognition of regional intellectual property.
This innovation is getting stronger with collaboration between TCM, West Kutai Regency Government, KP2L Damai District, Dispar, Dekranas, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. This extensive collaboration succeeded in bringing Sarut products to an international cultural exhibition in Finland, where the richness and beauty of East Kalimantan literature was exhibited at the global level.
Source: www.tambang.co.id
