Collaboration Between Balikpapan Refinery and the Community to Protect the Refinery on New Year's Eve

Wednesday, 1 January 2025

To ensure the security and smooth operation of the Balikpapan RDMP Project and the refinery as a National Vital Object, PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan (PT KPB), in collaboration with PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit V (PT KPI RU V), carried out the "Mas JaKi" (Community Safeguarding the Refinery) initiative in Margasari Subdistrict. This initiative aims to prevent potentially hazardous activities such as lighting firecrackers, fireworks, and signal flares that could trigger fires near the refinery, especially during New Year's Eve celebrations.

The Mas JaKi activity involved various stakeholders, including internal security teams from PT KPB and PT KPI RU V, Balikpapan Barat District authorities, Balikpapan Barat Police and Military Command, the Civil Service Police Unit, the Margasari and Baru Tengah Subdistricts, the Community Empowerment Agency (LPM), and the Disaster-Prepared Village Community Group. This collaboration aims to safeguard the nation's strategic assets and create a safe and conducive environment. A total of 60 individuals worked together to secure the stilt-house residential area of Margasari Subdistrict from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM local time.

VP of Legal & Relations at PT KPB, Asep Sulaeman, stated that New Year's Eve is a moment eagerly awaited by the community to celebrate. "The stilt-house residential area borders directly with the Balikpapan RDMP Project Area. Therefore, during this moment, we must ensure collective safety and comfort," he said.

As a preventive measure, the Balikpapan City Government, through the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), has issued a strict ban on the use of flare-type fireworks. This regulation aims to prevent incidents such as fires caused by sparks from firecrackers or fireworks, particularly flare-type fireworks, which could potentially reach the refinery area.

"We have also disseminated a public advisory against lighting fireworks and firecrackers by installing banners at strategic points around the refinery to raise community awareness," Asep added.

As of the end of 2024, the Balikpapan RDMP Project has achieved 92.07% progress. "We hope that through this activity, our top priority—the successful completion of the National Strategic Project (PSN) RDMP Balikpapan and Lawe-Lawe—will continue to be safeguarded, supporting energy sovereignty, independence, and resilience," he concluded.