30 August 2023
Remnants of the exuberance accompanying celebration of the Republic of Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day continue to linger in the mining towns of Tembagapura and Kuala Kencana, in Central Papua Province. These two towns make up the hub of activity of world-class mining company PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI).
In addition to the main event, the flag unfurling ceremony that was attended by employees and local stakeholders, along with an array of different activities were organized in celebration of Independence Day.
The activities ranged from contests and competitions, entertainment shows, cultural parades, community service actions, and the formal launching of new facilities dedicated to the nation’s development, to a spectacular feat to unfurl the biggest flag atop a mountain, breaking a world record, and a music concert performed at the highest point of the Grasberg mining site that earned a MURI record.
The RI 78th Independence Day celebrations were in manifestation of the spirit of “Kita Satu – Melaju untuk Indonesia Maju” – We Are One Forging Ahead for the Advancement of Indonesia – that is the theme grounding the series of PTFI activities that are being conducted even to the end of this August. This theme of uniting diversity in the PTFI environment underlies a spirit of collaboration aimed at offering the best for the nation.
PTFI has become a partner for Indonesia’s development and has been a national asset for more than half a century. The momentum of RI Independence Day celebrations reinforces PTFI commitment to do their best in carrying out mining activities, towards providing maximum benefits for the nation and state.
This was stated by PTFI President Director Tony Wenas during the flag-raising ceremony in Tembagapura, citing a message conveyed by President Joko Widodo when he visited the PTFI operation area in September of last year.
The lively activities taking place in celebration of RI’s 78th Independence Day included:
PTFI activities to commemorate RI 78th Independence Day included involving residents in the villages of Kampung Banti in Tembagapura District and Kampung Nawaripi in Wania District in a joint community service action. On Wednesday (8/8) in Kampung Banti, a group of PTFI employees and the PTFI 78th Independence Day commemoration committee carried out a clean-up drive in the village and a session to educate residents and their children on health issues. In the lowland area on 12 and 14 August, PTFI engaged residents of Kampung Nawaripi in a village clean-up drive and health checkups, with Wania District Chief Richard Wakum in attendance.
On the occasion of commemoration of RI 78th Independence Day, PTFI organized a cultural fest carrying the ‘We Are One’ theme at the Superblock Building in Ridge Camp, Mile 72, Tembagapura. The goal of the cultural fest was to call on employees and the local communities to jointly celebrate RI 78th Independence Day on the company’s premises, and as part of a campaign to raise quality of life for employees, specifically in Ridge Camp. At Ridge Camp, various typical Independence Day-themed games were organized such as cracker-grabbing using just the mouth, playing futsal while wearing a sarong, relay-racing wearing clogs, and a tug-of-war. Employees competed against each other in domino and carrom contests. Employees and their families could watch independent struggle-themed films at the Superblock Kaswari Cinema. This nobar (communal viewing of a movie) event was especially lively as snacks such as ice cream, popcorn and assorted cakes were served. These communal events in celebration of Independence Day served to bind employees and the local community even closer.
To commemorate RI 78th Independence Day, PTFI also organized activities with significance in various areas of its operating site. One such activity was the planting of trees at Mile 21, Timika, led by PTFI President Director Tony Wenas, who was accompanied by guests invited from Jakarta. Trees planted include bintangur, trembesi, and ulin trees, which are especially beneficial for biodiesel projects, water storage, and other future uses requiring strong timber. This activity reflecting PTFI commitment to create a sustainable environment was aimed at encouraging environmental awareness among the guests.
PTFI made world history by earning a Guinness World Records (GWR) record in unfurling a giant flag atop a mountain, breaking the previous record in which a flag measuring 2,742.43 square meters (m²) was unfurled. PTFI successfully broke this record by unfurling a Red-White flag measuring 3,43.25 m² at an elevation of 4,285 meters above sea level (masl). This flag-unfurling activity was conducted as part of the sequence of Independence Day celebration events by PTFI. The Red-White flag was unfurled on 14 August 2023 at the site of the Grasberg open pit which had been operated by PTFI since 1991 and was closed in 2020. The award in achievement of this feat was accepted by PTFI President Director Tony Wenas on Wednesday, 16 August 2023.
PTFI earned a place in Museum Rekor Indonesia (MURI) with a music concert held at the highest point in Indonesia, the Grasberg open pit site located at an elevation of 4,285 masl. This music performance titled “We Are One Concert” featured the musical group Slank. The concert was held in celebration of RI 78th Independence Day. A MURI certificate was presented by MURI Deputy President Director Osmar Semesta Susilo to PTFI President Director Tony Wenas at Ridge Camp, the light industry area located in Mile 72 Tembagapura supporting PTFI’s operation, on Thursday (17/8/2023). Slank performed a number of songs, including “Mars Slankers,” “Ku Tak Bisa,” “Orkes Sakit Hati,” “Balikin,” and other hits by the legendary band. Slank also presented patriotic renditions such as “Garuda Pancasila” and “Indonesia Pusaka” which evoked the spirit of independence among the audience. Grasberg was chosen as the concert venue for its unique and challenging location, and the story behind its discovery that is part of the history of mining in Papua, Indonesia.
PTFI once again proudly embraced students from the Yayasan Pendidikan Jayawijaya (YPJ) school to join them with PTFI employees in making up the paskibra crew at the 76th Independence Day commemoration event in Tembagapura. The paskibra crew consisted of lower middle school students from the YPJ Tembagapura school and PTFI employees. Meanwhile in Kuala Kencana, the paskibra crew consisted of a combination of students from SMP YPJ Kuala Kencana lower middle school, Taruna Papua Boarding School (SATP), and Papua Football Academy (PFA), along with PTFI employees. Like the employees, the students chosen to be part of this year’s Paskibra crew underwent a tight selection process. In Tembagapura, the Paskibra crew was made up of 40 employees and 30 YPJ students hailing from various tribes. Meanwhile the Paskibra crew in Kuala Kencana consisted of 39 YPJ students, 10 SATP students, 5 PFA students, and 24 employees. They received rigorous training similar to that of the national Pakibra crew. They underwent training since 17 July and successfully presented their best performance during the flag raising and unfurling ceremony on the occasion of RI 78th Independence Day commemoration on 17 August.
The Kamoro effigy is a work of art created by carvers of the Kamoro Tribe, an indigenous people inhabiting the lowland areas in Mimika Regency, Papua.Under the patronage of the foundation Yayasan Maramowe Weaiku Kamorowe (MWK), some 500 Kamoro artisans are enabled to continue work to preserve the arts, culture and legacy of their forefathers while providing them with economic benefits. In celebration of RI 78th Independence Day, the foundation Yayasan MWK with support from PTFI undertook revitalization of the four Kamoro effigies adorning the roundabout in Kuala Kencana. The launching of the four effigies on Saturday (19/8/2023) underwent a prior process of customary rites by the carvers. This came about in manifestation of PTFI commitment to conserve local culture and legacy, and endeavor to gain recognition for Kamoro carvings among the people of Indonesia.
At the end of the series of activities to commemorate RI 78th Independence Day in Papua, PTFI organized a ‘We Are One’ concert attended by PTFI families and thousands of Mimika Regency residents, located at the Kuala Kencana Common on Saturday (19/8/2023). The concert featured Marcell Siahaan who performed his legendary songs such as ‘Peri Cintaku,’ ‘Semusim,’ and ‘Firasat.’ On the same day, employee communities from across the various divisions, privatized contractors, and local associations in the PTFI area enlivened the arts and culture festival with a parade featuring local culture and costumes and icons from across Indonesia. The festival depicted Indonesia in miniature in the PTFI environment, in united diversity bearing the spirit of We Are One to offer the best for the nation.
“PTFI views the RI 78th Independence Day commemoration as an occasion to instill a spirit of nationalism and present the company’s contribution to surrounding areas in the PTFI operating site.As a world-class mining company, PTFI aims to have the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, harmony and collaboration resound towards creating added value for Indonesia through good mining management and contributing to achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for an Advanced Indonesia,” the head of PTFI 78th Independence Day Commemoration Committee, Birat Setyoko uttered.
RI 78th Independence Day was similarly commemorated and celebrated at the PTFI smelter project site in the JIIPE – Manyar area in Gresik and at the Jakarta office.
Kami menghimbau para pencari kerja untuk berhati-hati dan mewaspadai beragam modus penipuan perekrutan yang mengatasnamakan PT Freeport Indonesia. Dalam setiap proses rekrutmen dan penerimaan karyawan, PT Freeport Indonesia maupun konsultan rekruitmennya tidak memungut biaya apapun.
Untuk melihat lowongan, silakan akses melalui link berikut: ptfi e-recruitment
Untuk melihat informasi magang, silakan akses melalui link berikut: Internship Program
