InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Derom Bangun was always as official delegation in trade mission to many countries, even until South Africa to escalate palm oil exports from Indonesia. He sometimes went with Minister of Agriculture, Anton Apriyantono and General Director of Plantation, Achmad Mangga Barani in many international level-meetings. He was always invited as a speaker in many forums, seminars, and conferences in international level about palm oil, such as, in Oxford (United Kingkom), Schleswig-Holstein (German), Mumbai (India), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Phoenix (United States of America).

He always published in many mass media as speakers particularly when palm oil faced serious issue, such as, palm cooking oil that got more expensive and others. He was one of four external advisor members of World Bank where the center is in Washington DC.

In 2005, as Chairman of Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA) Bangun was invited to join Indonesian delegacy which was led by Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Trade of Indonesia and successfully negotiated with the Government of India, that was represented by Ministry of Trade and Industry, Kamal Nath to change beta-carotene ingredients in crude palm oil (CPO). The success delivered the positive CPO exports to India from Indonesia.

Many thought Bangun delivered big and positive contribution to develop palm oil plantations in Indonesia, delivered big parts in diplomacy and escalated CPO trade and marketing from Indonesia to many countries.

Bangun was active in regional palm oil organizations, such as, AVOC (ASEAN Vegetable Oil Club) and international one, such as, RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). In 2004, he was the II Vice President of RSPO.

His skills in palm oil were acknowledged by many figures in national and global level.

Prof. Dr. Bungaran Saragih, Minister of Agriculture of Indonesia in 2001 - 2004, said, Derom Bangun is one citizen of Indonesia who struggles for palm oil industrial interests in national and international scale. Not many people in Indonesia like Bangun who is consistently and persistently struggling for palm oil interests in and out of this country.

Augustine Ong, President of MOSTA (Malaysian Oil Scientist and Technologist Association), in his speech of appreciation to Derom Bangun in Kuala Lumpur on 26 June 2010, said, the award given by MOSTA was the appreciation to individuals that delivered thoughts, efforts to develop palm oil industries in the world. Not only in Indonesia, Bangun’s roles to get palm oil industries go forward put this industry as one influencing industry in the world level.

Achmad Mangga Barani, General Director of Plantation Ministry of Agriculture Indonesian Republic in 2006 - 2010 in a book launch of “Derom Bangun : Pemikiran, Karya Dan Pencapaian” (Sebuah Lesson Learn bagi Generasi Muda) on 17 June 2023 in Medan, North Sumatera Province, said and asked that every stakeholder in national scale, including the government should take for advantages every experiences and knowledge that Derom Bangun has and applied to get the glory of palm oil in national scale.

Derom Bangun (83), the man who was born in Karo, 16 June 1940 massively plays his roles in palm oil industries. His entire life is to get palm oil go forward. There are three significant phases for Bangun in his life, they ae, serving family(ies), serving nation and country, and serving God. He serves the country and nation through palm oil because it is one of biggest sources for Indonesia, hires many workers. Bangun never gets tired to defend on palm oil producers that always get unfair treatment because of trade competition. On the other hand, he always supports principles of sustainability to cultivate palm oil plantations. He has extraordinary dedication in palm oil world.

For his extraordinary roles and dedication, Derom Bangun got many awards from this country and others, such as, in this country - trophy from North Sumatera Governor, Kaharudin Nasution, as the winner in Environment Day as “Pengabdi Lingkungan Hidup” (1985);  award from Ministry of Population and Environement, Emil Salim in 1985 as “Perintis Pencegahan Pencemaran Limbah Industri Kelapa Sawit  dan Karet.”, Indonesian Palm Oil Award  from Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (PFMA) on 3 February 2017 in Jakarta.

From other countries, the awards were Globoil “Man of The Year” that he got in Globoil Conference in Mumbai, India on 23 September 2006 and from MOSTA (Malaysian Oils Scientist and Technologist Association) as Honorary Fellowship, Malaysia on 26 June 2010.

For his skills and roles in palm oil world, Jusuf Kalla as Vice President of Indonesia named him as Eksiklopedia Industri Minyak Sawit;  Achmad Mangga Barani named him as Duta Besar Sawit Indonesia; Prof. Dr. Bungaran Saragih, Minister of Agriculture Indonesia in 2001 - 2004 named his as “Mister Sawit Of Indonesia”;   journalist from Kompas in one article of Kompas named him as Pendekar CPO;  Kantor Berita Antara in one of the article with the title “Diplomasi Sawit Dalam Memoar Prof Derom Bangun” which was published by Kantor Berita Antara named him as Professor; Mahbob Abdullah, plantation industrial consultant I Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia named him as The Leader of Palm Oil Industry. Many journalists named him as Bengawan Sawit.

His stories become part of palm oil long stories in Indonesia. discussing about palm oil in Indonesia, it is not complete still if it does not mention the name of Derom Bangun.

His story and life journey realized us that it is very important to learn studiously, with excited passion, develop and maintain trust, be persistent, be discipline, loving in profession, loyal to promises, having organizations, maintaining balance between man and environment/nature, and balance between the physic and spiritual.

Derom Bangun wrote his long experiences and story life in palm oil world into a book with the title Derom Bangun: Memoar Duta Besar Sawit Indonesia (2010). The village boy’s stories until he becomes one world class - palm oil figure were completely described in detail. Cendikiawan Karo Indonesia (CKI) initiated and formulated the second book with the title, Derom Bangun:Pemikiran, Karya dan Pencapaian (Sebuah Lesson Learnt bagi Generasi Muda) has been published this year, 2023.

Derom Bangun has left valuable heritage (science, thoughts, experiences, learning, spirits, and moral values) for young generations particularly those who are or will be involved in palm oil industries. (*)

By: Maruli Pardamean/Agribusiness Author and Palm Oil Practitioner