Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food Supports Fire Suppression Efforts in Belitung

Membalong, Belitung, 24 August 2026 - PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya (PBB) and PT Forestalestari Dwikarya (FLD), part of Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, deployed four fire engines and around 40 personnel to help tackle a community land fire in Membalong, Belitung.

The support forms part of the company's preparedness during the dry season. Alongside keeping personnel and firefighting equipment ready, the company's team continues to build coordination with the government, security forces, and local communities so that support can be mobilised swiftly whenever a fire breaks out nearby.

Upon receiving word of the fire, firefighting teams from PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya and PT Forestalestari Dwikarya moved quickly to the location and worked alongside residents, Koramil, and Membalong Police to bring the blaze under control. The operation ran for several hours before the fire was successfully contained.

Once the flames were under control, officers continued dousing and monitoring the affected area to guard against any flare ups. This step formed part of efforts to keep the situation on the ground firmly in hand once the firefighting operation was complete. Through this joint effort, a fire covering around three hectares was successfully extinguished.

Jono, Head of Membalong Hamlet, praised the support given by PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya and PT Forestalestari Dwikarya in helping speed up the response to the fire in the area. He noted that the involvement of multiple parties is vital to ensuring fires are tackled effectively.

"We were greatly helped by the company's firefighting fleet. It helped speed up the response," he said.

Over the past three weeks, PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya and PT Forestalestari Dwikarya have lent their support to fire response efforts across several locations in Membalong, including Desa Pasar, Perpat, and Membalong itself. This involvement reflects the company's ongoing commitment to supporting fire response in surrounding areas through close coordination with the government, security forces, and local communities.

Beyond firefighting support, the company also distributed 6,000 litres of clean water to residents around Membalong as they face the challenges of the dry season.

"A swift response and close coordination with everyone on the ground are essential to stopping fires from spreading further. We remain committed to supporting the government and communities in both preventing and responding to fires, including by mobilising our resources whenever they are needed," said Frengki Setiawan, Manager of PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya.

Earlier, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, together with stakeholders across Bangka Belitung, held a fire preparedness roll call for the region's land and forest fires (karhutla). The gathering was aimed at strengthening coordination and ensuring personnel and equipment are ready to face the risk of fire throughout the dry season.

"Preparation, coordination, and collaboration need to happen early. When a fire does occur, that readiness allows everyone to move faster and provide the right support on the ground," said Setiawan.

Through ongoing preparedness and closer collaboration, PT Palmindo Billiton Berjaya and PT Forestalestari Dwikarya continue supporting communities in facing fire risk during the dry season, while strengthening coordination with stakeholders in tackling land and forest fires across Bangka Belitung.