JAKARTA – Almost entering its golden age, PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR) as a subsidiary of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) has just held a Soft Launching of the SMBR History Book on Tuesday (24/10) at the Bidakara Hotel, Jakarta. This book launch event also coincided with the 2023 SMBR Public Expose in the same series of events.

The launch of this book was attended by the Commissioners and Directors of SMBR including Independent Commissioner Chowadja Sanova, Commissioner Hadi Daryanto who attended online, then President Director Daconi Khotob, Director of Finance & HR Functions Rahmat Hidayat, Director of Operations Functions Suherman Yahya and accompanied by Vice President of Corporate Secretary Bashtony Santri and the SMBR History Book Compilation Team.

Long story short, the book entitled “The Three Elephants: Celebrating History, Continuing the Story” tells the story of the colossal history of a cement factory that was founded in Baturaja City, Ogan Komering Ulu Regency. How a factory whose raw materials and processing to become clinker came to be in Baturaja, but also has a grinding plant and packaging plant in Palembang City and Bandar Lampung.

The initial idea for building factories in three locations was unique. The construction of the cement factory in Baturaja is intended to utilize the railway line for distribution. By the government, SMBR was built to meet cement needs in the Southern Sumatra region (Sumbagsel).

Throughout its journey, SMBR has experienced a difficult phase. The construction of the factory was delayed due to the uncertain economic situation in the country. Factory construction was hampered due to the crisis and global situation in the late 1970s. In 1998, SMBR was about to be sold to a foreign party. This book explains in detail how the management at that time succeeded in saving the company’s assets from a ‘hospital’ called BPPN and the grip of foreign parties.

On June 28 2013, SMBR also succeeded in listing its initial shares on the Stock Exchange so that it had the status of a public company. Until finally, in 2022, SMBR as a state-owned company will be integrated into the large ecosystem of the Cement Industry and joined in SIG. The journey of almost half a century of SMBR is summarized in this book.

To summarize half a century of history in one book containing 364 pages, the author and the drafting team have interviewed more than 30 sources, from across generations of directors, former employees, commissioners, stakeholders and levels of society.

Famous figures interviewed included National Figure Azwar Anas, former Director and founder of SMBR. Former Member of the DPR/RI Marzuki Alie, Pamudji Rahardjo, Main Director who succeeded in bringing SMBR to the floor on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). Until Daconi Khotob brought the company in the transition period to SIG.

“The Three Elephants is a nickname that refers to the three SMBR operational locations that stand tall like elephants – sturdy and durable elephants according to SMBR’s tagline. “This book is a witness to the history, achievements and strategic role and contribution of SMBR in infrastructure development and the national economy, especially in the Southern Sumatra region,” said Daconi in his speech.

He said that the launch of this history book indicated that SMBR was half a century old. This story is not just documentation but a form of appreciation and respect for the pioneers of the founding of SMBR.

“Thank you and the highest appreciation to all parties who have supported and been involved in making this history book. “We hope that the wider community will be able to explore the contents of this history book, which contains insights, information and the history of the founding of SMBR as a source of motivation and innovative ideas to achieve common goals,” he concluded. (*)

LAMPUNG – PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR) as a subsidiary of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) really cares about and wants to continue to improve good industrial relations with its Employees Union. This was realized by the presence of SMBR management represented by Main Director Daconi Khotob and also Fitria Margaretha as Vice President of Human Resources & General Affairs at the 2023 Semen Baturaja Employees Union (SKSB) V Grand Conference (Mubes) at the SMBR Site Panjang Office, Kota. Bandar Lampung on Thursday (12/10). The fifth SKSB Mubes carries the theme “Together with SKSB, Realizing Solidarity for SMBR with Increasing Integrity”.

This event was attended directly by SKSB administrators and members as well as invited guests, including the Head of the Lampung Province Manpower Service, Dr. Agus Nompitu; Chairman of the DPN Federation of Cement Industry Workers’ Unions throughout Indonesia, Faisal Arif; as well as colleagues from other cement industry unions.

SMBR President Director Daconi Khotob in his speech said that employees are valuable assets for the company. SMBR is fully committed to fostering industrial relations with employees in order to create a more productive, sustainable and harmonious work atmosphere.

“We must admit that without the dedication of employees, the great achievements that SMBR has achieved so far would not have been possible. I hope that SKSB will continue to play an active role as a good partner for the company to accommodate and convey the aspirations of employees/ti to the company, especially those related to with employment, exchanging ideas, in supporting the implementation of company work programs and realizing ideas for the company’s future progress,” said Daconi in his speech.

Meanwhile, Head of the Lampung Province Manpower Service, Dr. Agus Nompitu, SE, M.T.P, said that he was very happy with the harmonious industrial relations that were taking place at SMBR. Where the labor union and management are in the same forum with the same goal of advancing the company which will then be able to improve the welfare of the employees within it.

The main agenda for the Fifth Mubes is the SKSB Central Management Accountability Report for the 2020-2023 Period, discussion of AD/ART, and Organizational Regulations which are discussed jointly by the management, MPO and member representatives from each work unit. Another agenda is the delivery of the results of the 2023 Direct Election of General Chair Candidates by the Direct Election Commission and Handover of Position to the 2023-2026 SKSB General Chair, M. Ariansyah.

It is hoped that this V Grand Conference will be a good start for the new management and will be able to better protect its members and continue to establish harmonious industrial relations to jointly advance the company so that employee welfare will also improve. (*)