ASIATODAY.ID, KOLAKA – Commander of the XIV Hasanuddin Military Regional Command (Pangdam) Major General TNI Windiyatno expressed his pride and full support for the investment in the ‘Merah Putih’ smelter of PT Ceria Nugraha Indotama (Ceria Group) which is fully driven by national entrepreneurs.
The reason is, this nickel mining company is a barometer in implementing the Asta Cita program for mineral downstreaming initiated by President Prabowo Subianto to increase the added value of natural resources and encourage sustainable economic growth.
“We are proud because 100 percent of the workers are from our own nation and most of them are local people,” said Major General Windiyatno while reviewing the ‘Merah Putih’ Smelter of PT Ceria Nugraha Indotama (Ceria Group) in Wolo District, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
As a National Strategic Project (PSN) and National Vital Object (Obvitnas), the Pangdam is responsible for ensuring the stability of security and smooth operations as well as the sustainability of the Ceria Group’s ‘Merah Putih’ smelter industry which will soon be operational in the near future.
The Pangdam also appreciated the implementation of Good Mining Practice and the principles of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) consistently by Ceria Group including Ceria’s business process as a Domestic Investment Company (PMDN) which is ready to become a global player to produce raw materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Major General TNI Windiyatno also gave special attention to Ceria Group for its contribution to the national mining industry that supports domestic mineral downstreaming, while also appreciating the communication that has been established very well between Ceria Group and the security forces.
“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to meet with Ceria Group. I see that Ceria Group has run its operations very well, especially in creating a sense of belonging for the surrounding community,” he said.
Furthermore, Major General TNI Windiyatno also advised all stakeholders to always maintain the existence of Ceria Group in the area.
“We are very proud to see the local workforce here who are the future of the nation. We from the TNI will continue to be committed to helping maintain the security of the Ceria IUP area and strengthening the coordination that has been established well,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Operational Director of PT Ceria Nugraha Indotama Yusram Rantesalu on that occasion again emphasized that the entire ‘Merah Putih’ smelter is capital from Indonesia. Likewise, 100 percent of those running the smelter are Indonesian workers.
“In Indonesia, there are 147 smelters and only one belongs to the nation’s investing, namely the ‘Merah Putih’ Ceria Group smelter. This should be a matter of national pride,” he said.
Yusran emphasized that the existence of the ‘Merah Putih’ smelter should be appreciated, guarded and protected, because there are national entrepreneurs who are trying to be independent, working in their own country.
In addition, the ‘Merah Putih’ smelter is also part of the Asta Cita initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. Of the 8 points of Asta Cita, 3 of them are in the ‘ Merah Putih’ smelter, namely downstreaming, increasing the workforce and growing the economy from the village.
“The three Asta Cita are here. Therefore, it needs to be guarded and protected, so that operational activities run well, smoothly and safely, for the sake of our beloved country Indonesia,” said Yusram.
Worship Center
On the same occasion, Vice President & Corporate Affair Director of PT Ceria, Djen Rizal explained the worship center facilities in the form of two mosques standing within the IUP area of PT Ceria, namely the An Naml mosque and the Al Fatih mosque which illustrate the main goal of Insan Ceria to always fulfill their life goals in obtaining goodness in life in the world and the hereafter.
The presence of these two mosques, said Djen Rizal, is a real manifestation of PT Ceria Nugraha Indotama’s commitment to supporting religious and social activities in the company’s operational areas. This mosque is not just a physical building that is a symbol of religion but also a symbol of discipline, solidarity, neatness of togetherness, a spirit of mutual cooperation, and the company’s efforts to maintain the spiritual well-being of its employees.
“This is Ceria’s obligation to ensure that ESG aspects are implemented properly and sustainably,” said Djen Rizal. (AT Network)
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