InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Beneath the vast green expanse of Kalimantan's oil palm plantations, Johan Sukardi plays a largely unseen role, de-escalating conflicts, fostering trust, and building social harmony between companies and communities. Through a humanistic approach and "silent diplomacy," he proves that sustainability is not just about trees—but also about human relationships.
On a scorching afternoon in Kalimantan, Johan Sukardi sat leaning against a security post in a plantation. Before him, rows of oil palm trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Yet his mind wasn't on the day's harvest. He was thinking about a young man arrested the previous day for stealing palm oil fruits. "He's not a criminal," he said softly, "he's hungry."
Johan is neither a police officer nor a village official. He is the Corporate Affairs Director of PT Bumitama Gunajaya Agro (BGA), but more than that, he is a bridge between the company and the communities surrounding the plantations. On his shoulders rests the hope of mitigating conflicts, fostering good relations, and nurturing sustainability—not just of palm trees, but of social trust.
When Security Is No Longer Enough
"In the past, if someone stole, they were immediately handed over to the police. End of story," Johan recalled in a recent conversation with InfoSAWIT. However, he noted that such an approach merely brushed dust off the surface; the real problems remained unresolved.
Now, Johan and his team employ a more humanistic social approach. They investigate the backgrounds of offenders, visit their homes, discuss with community leaders, and often uncover deeper root causes: poverty, unemployment, and loss of access to land.
"If they steal because they're hungry, then our job is not to punish, but to open pathways for them to eat decently," Johan stated. One way they do this is by inviting the perpetrators' families to participate in economic empowerment programs based on the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Training, seed assistance, or small business partnerships are some of the solutions offered. (T2)
Read more in InfoSAWIT Magazine, June 2025 Edition
