Kutai Kartanegara – PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) has been honored by the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Government at the Kukar CSR Award 2023 Appreciation Gold for the Biosphere category through the Mahakam River Dolphin Conservation Program (Komik Pesut). This program is a flagship CSR initiative of the company in managing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance.

The award ceremony took place in Tenggarong on December 27, 2023, with the award presented by the Regency Secretary (Sekda) of Kukar, Dr. H. Sunggono. He appreciated PHM's consistency in implementing the Community Development Program (PPM) or CSR program in its operational areas.

"We hope that the results of this CSR program become a best practice example or a role model for other companies. For the beneficiaries, we hope they share their success tips to inspire other community groups, adapting to the characteristics of each company in their respective working areas," said Sunggono.

Wisnu Wardhana, Head of the Formalities and Communication Department at SKK Migas Kalimantan and Sulawesi, expressed joy at PHM's achievement. "This award is evidence that the upstream oil and gas industry has delivered numerous benefits and a multiplier effect to the communities around PHM's operational area," said Wisnu.

PHM's community development programs align with the Indonesia Oil and Gas (IOG) 4.0 strategy, aiming to deliver holistic value to communities near upstream operations and uphold sustainable environmental practices. Wisnu emphasized that PHM's success owes much to the unwavering support of both the local community and the Kutai Kartanegara Regency government provided to the upstream oil and gas industry.

Dony Indrawan, Manager of Communication Relations & CID at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), hailed the award and emphasized PHM's CSR program as a contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"This award is a recognition from the local government for PHM's contribution to supporting economic and community development in the Kukar region, as well as the excellent performance of this program in advancing SDGs, especially Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Goal 14 related to marine ecosystems," stated Dony.

Frans Alexander A. Hukom, Head of Communication Relations & CID at PHM, explained that the Komik Pesut program is implemented in Pela Village to support the conservation of the critically endangered Mahakam River Dolphin, listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List).

"Our environmentally-based Mahakam River Dolphin Conservation program is synergized with the development of Pela Tourism Village, which is capable of increasing public awareness of conservation and stimulating the local economy," said Frans.

In collaboration with Pokdarwis Bekayuh Baumbai Bebudaya, the manager of Pela Tourism Village involved in preserving the Mahakam River Dolphin, PHM, along with RASI and Pokdarwis, encourages local fishermen to reduce the use of fishing gear that could harm the Mahakam River Dolphin, including the use of the Acoustic Pinger innovation. This small electronic device emits ultrasonic pulses to keep the dolphins away from fishing nets.

A groundbreaking invention, the Acoustic Pinger, is now attached to fishing nets, emitting sonar frequencies that act like an alarm for Mahakam River Dolphins. These pings, inaudible to humans but crystal clear to the dolphins, have driven their entanglement in nets down to zero, saving countless individuals since 2020. This remarkable feat comes as a ray of hope for the species, whose fragile population of only 65-75 faces the constant threat of accidental bycatch. With this life-saving technology, PHM sets a precedent for responsible fishing practices and paves the way for even more collaborative conservation initiatives in the future.

Additionally, the Komik Pesut program supports the development of Pela Tourism Village. In October 2023, Pela Village was designated as a Member of The Best Tourism Village Upgrade Programme 2023 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), being one of the 20 villages internationally recognized by UNWTO. Other participants included villages from many countries such as Japan, Spain, Morocco, Peru, Italy, Turkey, and more, highlighting Pela Tourism Village's potential to become a world-class destination.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PHI that operates upstream oil and gas activities using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in the Mahakam Working Area in East Kalimantan. As a Kontraktor Kontrak Kerja Sama (KKKS) of SKK Migas, PHM, along with other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, continues to innovate and apply technology to produce energy that is safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly to realize #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. Further information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.