Tanjung Jabung Barat, Jambi, 1 April 2020 – In support of the Indonesian Government’s fight against the spread of COVID-19, Asian Agri through its business unit, PT Inti Indosawit Subur gave sanitisers and handwashing soaps to five villages in Merlung District, Tanjung Regency Jabung Barat, Jambi Province.
The 125 units of sanitisers and hand soaps were given to the Head of Merlung Village, Jondri Robi and Head of Penyabungan Village, M. Sadat by PT Inti Indosawit Subur Senior Manager, Muhammad Luth who was accompanied by Public Relations, Joko Rianto, and PT Inti Indosawit Subur management.This was witnessed by Neighbourhood Security Committee of Merlung Village, Zulfikar and local village officials.
Muhammad Luth, Senior Manager of PT Inti Indosawit Subur explained that this event demonstrates Asian Agri’s support of the Government’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “We want to help protect the health of villagers who live in company’s operational areas in Merlung Village, Lubuk Terap Village, Penyabungan Village, Rantau Benar Village and Pulau Pauh Village.”
Muhammad Luth emphasized the role the community has to play during this time. “In addition to maintaining proper hand hygiene, villagers need to physical distance themselves from others. Let’s do our part in implementing the Government’s recommendation of good hygiene and social distancing.”
PT Inti Indosawit Subur Public Relations, Joko Riatno also hoped that the assistance provided by Asian Agri can be beneficial to the villagers. “At present, sanitation facilities for washing hands are important needs especially in public places. Therefore, we hope that villagers can use what we donated to wash their hands with soap regularly to avoid being infected by the COVID-19 virus,”Joko said.
Head of Merlung Village, Jondri Robi, expressed his appreciation to Asian Agri for the assistance. “We really need this sanitation facility donation and we will place it in front of the house and also the village office. Hopefully people are encouraged to wash their hands regularly.”
The same message was conveyed by the Head of Penyabungan Village, M.Sadat, who thanked the company for responding to the needs of the villagers. “We thank Asian Agri for their attention to the needs of our villagers. Earlier, we wanted to submit a request to the company, but the company was very pro-active in providing their help and in helping us deal with this epidemic,” he added.
About Asian Agri:
Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s largest palm oil producers since 1979. Today, the company manages 100,000 hectares of land and employs over 25,000 people. A pioneer of the Indonesian government’s Trans-National Government Migration (PIR-Trans) program, Asian Agri works with 30,000 plasma smallholders in Riau and Jambi who operate 60,000 hectares of palm oil plantations, as well as independent smallholders, bringing about positive impact on their quality of life and economic development.
Implementing a strict “no burn” policy and best practices in sustainable plantation management, Asian Agri has helped its smallholder partners improve productivity, yield and supply chain traceability, while assisting them obtain certifications. The company’s mills are technologically advanced and energy self-sufficient, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Asian Agri is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). More than 86% of both owned plantations in North Sumatra, Riau & Jambi provinces and 100% of scheme smallholder plantations in Riau & Jambi provinces have been RSPO certified. All plantations, including those owned by smallholders, have been certified by ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification). The company has also been 100% ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certified.
The company’s operations are ISO 14001 certified, while its Learning Institute and nursery research center in Riau province, Indonesia are both ISO 9001 certified. Asian Agri’s R&D Center in North Sumatra was also given a certification by the International Plant-Analytical Exchange at the WEPAL lab at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, for its high standards.
For further information, please contact:
Maria Sidabutar
Head Corporate Communications
E-mail: maria_sidabutar@www.asianagri.com
DID: +62 21 2301 119
