19 April 2023
South Halmahera, 19 April 2023 - Harita Nickel held Ramadan 1444 Hijri safari in Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku. The nickel mining and downstream company group, which listed its shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange last week through its business entity PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk, distributed donations and Eid packages to hundreds residents in three sub-districts.
Department Head of Community Affairs Harita Nickel Latif Supriadi said the Ramadan safari is part of the company's annual Community Development and Empowerment (PPM) program.
He explained that in this year's Ramadan safari event, the company organized various activities involving hundreds of residents in 14 villages spread across 3 sub-districts in Obi Island. These included breakfasting with residents and community leaders, giving donations to at least 520 orphans and 800 Eid gifts in the form of Eid packages to the elderly, widows/widowers and religious leaders.
"Through this Ramadan Safari, we want to stay in touch and at the same time share happiness with the community, especially Muslims who are fasting during Ramadan and will soon celebrate Eid al-Fitr," he explained.
From this activity, his party hopes to strengthen the company's relationship and togetherness with the community, which has been harmonious so far.
"All of this is nothing but our commitment to always be together with the community, religious leaders and all other stakeholders to work together to develop the region as well as contribute to the nation," he said.
In addition to Obi Island, Latif added, Harita Nickel in collaboration with a number of institutions also distributed more than 3 thousand Eid packages in Ternate City and Labuha, North Maluku.
Harita Nickel's Ramadan Safari received a warm welcome from various levels of society in Obi Island. Obi Sub-District Head, La Ali La Jarahiya, said the company-initiated activity had a positive impact on the community. In addition to being a gathering place, it is also very helpful, especially for underprivileged residents.
"Harita's presence on Obi Island has brought a lot of positive impacts. We thank you very much for the company's cooperation that has been supporting government programs," he said, during the Ramadan safari in Laiwui Village, while mentioning Harita Nickel's contribution which has helped to build the Obi District office and handed over sea ambulance aid recently.
In addition to the government, appreciation is also presented by religious leaders. As expressed by Ustad Ali Zainal Abidin in his tausiyah during Ramadan safari at An Nur Mosque, Kawasi Village, Obi District. According to him, the company's assistance to orphans, the elderly and widows is very valuable, especially in the month of Ramadan.
"Different from gifts, the donation given to those who really need help is called sadaqah. For those who receive it, this support is very valuable," he explained.
Furthermore, he hopes that the positive activities done by the company can continue to be sustainable. According to him, orphans, in particular, have every right to get access to proper education for their future.
Wahid, an imam at the Nurul Islam mosque in Wayaloar Village, South Obi Subdistrict, expressed the same concern. According to him, the company's care for the underprivileged shows that Islamic teachings brought by the Prophet Muhammad SAW are not only verbalized, but also implemented by the company.
"What Harita has done is in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet who really loves orphans and the poor. Hopefully the company will always be given ease in running its operations, and local communities will be able to benefit from the company," he said.
Not only from Muslims, Harita Nickel's Ramadan safari also received a positive response from other religious leaders. Jei Tomas Siwabessy, pastor of Eben Haezer Church in Wayaloar Village, said the iftar moment held by the company was a means to strengthen relations between religious believers.
"We at Eben Haezer church, as well as Anugerah church, are very happy to be able to gather with our Muslim brothers and sisters who are fasting during Ramadan. We must continue to maintain this kind of harmony for the sake of our common survival," he said.
The Ramadan safari that was held from April 7 to 13, 2023 was quite draining. Beyond Kawasi Village, which is directly adjacent to Harita Nickel's operations, the company team divided into three groups visited other villages in three sub-districts using sea transportation. Each group spent the night in each village before continuing their journey to another village.
The crew's Sea Truck was full of boxes and sacks containing Eid gifts. The personnel, who were fasting, worked together to distribute the aid packages. On another occasion, the crew boarded a long boat under the scorching beach air in broad daylight to continue their safari to the next village.
Apolinavis F Mbata, Community Relation Manager of Harita Nickel, said the donation was distributed to each resident based on data submitted by each local village government. He explained that the recipients are orphans, elderly, widows / widowers and religious leaders.
"In this activity we thank the village government for making this activity run smoothly," he said.
Furthermore, in addition to the Ramadan Safari, the company also conducts similar activities on the eve of other religious holidays such as Christmas celebrations for Christians. According to him, this religious holiday safari is a form of the company's concern for religious communities, as well as being conducted at other moments.
Interesting story told by Abu Bakar Sani, Community Relations Superintendent Harita Nickel. According to him, Ramadan Safari is a reflection of tolerance between religious communities.
"If earlier delivered religious life in this village is very harmonious, as well as in our team. For example, Ms. Sheila, even though she is non-Muslim, she is the one who is the busiest in preparing this activity," he said during the Ramadan Safari activities in South Obi Sub-district.
Sheila Munthia Simamora was the one who coordinated the logistic distribution to South Obi Sub-District. Along with other crew members, Sheila admitted that she was happy despite having to travel from one village to another for several days.
"The religion that I believe in also teaches us to always spread love to all mankind. So, this activity is not just a professional duty, but also practicing the noble values taught by all religions," she said.
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