Preventing Threats to the Ecosystem, PT KPB Involves the Community in Education on Invasive Plants

Wednesday, 8 October 2025

PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan (KPB) once again held a socialization event to raise awareness about invasive plants and efforts to preserve biodiversity. This socialization is part of the Lawe-Lawe Biodiversity Area Program initiated by PT KPB to raise collective awareness of the threat of invasive species that can disrupt ecosystem sustainability.

The event took place at Hotel Ika, Petung, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, on Tuesday (9/23) and involved PT KPB employees and the community around the Lawe-Lawe Facilities EPC Project Area. The program was organized through collaboration between PT KPB, the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), and the governments of Saloloang, Girimukti, and Lawe-Lawe villages.

PT KPB Vice President (VP) of Legal & Relations, Asep Sulaeman, emphasized that environmental conservation has become a priority. According to him, controlling invasive plants is an important part of ensuring ecosystem sustainability. "The presence of invasive plants is a threat to biodiversity. Through this socialization, we want to invite the community to work together to protect the environment. For us, conservation efforts are not only a social responsibility, but also ensuring the sustainability of the ecosystem for future generations," explained Asep.

Invasive plants are types of plants that enter an ecosystem and grow rapidly, displacing local species. If left uncontrolled, invasive plants can reduce land productivity, disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, and even threaten biodiversity.

The Head of Conservation Section III of the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Bambang Hari Trimarsito, expressed his appreciation for the organization of this event. According to him, education is key to biodiversity conservation efforts. “We are grateful to the Balikpapan Pertamina Refinery for facilitating the presentation of material on the types of invasive plants that are of concern to us in managing biodiversity. Hopefully, this information will be well received by the community and become a shared concern in preserving biodiversity in Indonesia,” said Bambang.

The outreach activity was conducted in an interactive and participatory manner so that all participants could fully understand the material. Speakers from the East Kalimantan Provincial BKSDA were present to give the main presentations. The material covered the definition of invasive plants, their mechanisms of spread, the negative impacts they cause, and management strategies that can be implemented at both the individual and community levels.

This initiative is in line with PT KPB's commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in terms of terrestrial ecosystem conservation. The success of the Balikpapan and Lawe-Lawe RDMP projects must go hand in hand with the success of environmental conservation efforts.

In line with Bambang, Head of the Girimukti Village Administration Section, Indah Ratnasari, believes that this activity brings direct benefits to the surrounding community. “We are grateful for this activity, which has increased the community's knowledge of invasive plants. Hopefully, in the future, PT KPB will continue to share its knowledge and expertise so that our community will become more empowered,” concluded Indah.