THE IMPACT OF PT INCO

ON SOROWAKO’S LOCAL CULTURAL TRADITIONS

A GRADUATING PAPER

A GRADUATING PAPER
SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DIPLOMA 3 DEGREE

By:

Mardiani

2003211031

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

LIA SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES YOGYAKARTA

YOGYAKARTA

2006

i
APPROVAL PAGE

ii
 ADMISSION SHEET

Herewith I state that the graduating paper is my original work. Every word or
statement taken from the reference is treated as quotation and excerpt in which the
name of the authors and the publishers are stated. If any claim related to the
analysis that I made persists in the future, I would be fully responsible for
clarification.

Yogyakarta, June 2nd, 2006

Mardiani
The Writer

iii
 THE IMPACT OF PT INCO

ON SOROWAKO’S LOCAL CULTURAL TRADITIONS

By: Mardiani

ABSTRACT

Sorowako is one of nickel mining areas in Indonesia. The region that is a part of
South Sulawesi province has became mining town since the operation of PT Inco,
a company from Canada in 1968. In addition, the company existence has changed
the daily life of the indigenous people of Sorowako. The community itself is not
aware if they almost lose their identity as Sorowakans. Based on the brief
explanation, the writer is interested in analyzing the particular subject above as
the topic of graduating paper. Therefore, the research is conducted to identify the
effects of PT Inco policy to the society’s local culture, the role of the company
and the efforts of the community to preserve the local culture. Furthermore, the
research will give some solutions as input to the subject matter.
The writer collects the research data by doing observation, attending
relevant seminar, becoming committee of one of the company events,
interviewing some history witnesses, doing library research, and doing internet
research. The data has been used to analyze the direct and indirect effects of the
company to the community’s life.
The result of the research uncovers that the company has very highly
influence the community’s local culture. The writer finds out that the effects of
the company policy have made the existence of the local culture almost extincts.
The writer also finds out that the local cultures are a little difficult to be preserved
because of global culture influences. However, PT Inco has helped the
community to preserve their local culture by local culture development program
as a part of the company community development program. The efforts of some
local associations have assisted the community to preserve their local culture too.

Key words: Community, Company, Local Cultural Traditions

iv
 DAMPAK PT INCO TERHADAP

TRADISI -TRADISI KEBUDAYAAN LOKAL SOROWAKO

Oleh: Mardiani

INTISARI

Sorowako adalah salah satu daerah tambang nikel di Indonesia. Daerah yang
merupakan wilayah propinsi Sulawesi Selatan itu sudah menjadi kota tambang
sejak kehadiran PT Inco, sebuah perusahaan dari Kanada pada tahun 1968.
Selanjutnya, keberadaan perusahaan itu telah mengubah kehidupan masyarakat
sehari-hari. Masyarakat itu sendiri tidak sadar jika mereka hampir kehilangan
identitasnya sebagai masyarakat Sorowako. Berdasarkan penjelasan ringkas
tersebut, penulis tertarik untuk menganalisa subyek khusus di atas sebagai judul
tugas akhir. Oleh karena itu, penelitian disalurkan untuk mengidentifikasi
pengaruh-pengaruh kebijakan PT Inco terhadap budaya lokal masyarakat, peran
perusahaan dan upaya-upaya masyarakat melestarikan budaya lokal. Selanjutnya,
penelitian itu akan memberikan beberapa solusi sebagai masukan kepada pokok
permasalahan.
Penulis mengumpulkan data penelitian dengan melakukan observasi,
menghadiri seminar, menjadi panitia di salah satu acara perusahaan,
mewawancarai beberapa saksi sejarah, melakukan penelitian pustaka, dan
penelitian internet. Data tersebut digunakan untuk menganalisa dampak
perusahaan terhadap kehidupan masyarakat secara langsung dan tidak langsung.
Hasil dari penelitian itu mengungkap bahwa perusahaan itu sangat
mempengaruhi budaya lokal masyarakat. Penulis menemukan bahwa pengaruh –
pengaruh kebijakan perusahaan itu telah membuat keberadaan budaya lokal
hampir punah. Penulis juga menemukan bahwa budaya lokal sulit bertahan karena
pengaruh budaya global. Namun demikian, PT Inco sudah membantu masyarakat
untuk melestarikan budaya lokal mereka melalui program pengembangan budaya
lokal sebagai satu bagian dari program masyarakat di sekitar perusahaan itu.
Upaya beberapa organisasi lokal juga telah membantu masyarakat untuk
melestarikan budaya lokal mereka.

Kata-kata kunci: Masyarakat, Perusahaan, Tradisi – Tradisi Kebudayaan Lokal

v
 MOTTO AND DEDICATION

Motto:

“The BEST technique in developing others is

by nurturing people around you.

Nurturing has the ability to transforms people’s lives.’

- John Maxwell -

This Graduating Paper is dedicated to:

- My beloved parents and my sisters who become my inspiration

- The Griffin’s family who teaches me about meaning of love and family.

- My closest friend, Sulvi Suardi, who never stops give precious advice,

criticism, encouragement, companionship, and shared passion. This report

will never finish without you in my side.

vi
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All praise is to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainers of the world; with Allah

permission, the writer could finish her graduating paper report without many

obstacles. The report is for fulfilling the requirement for the Diploma 3 degree

from English Department in LIA School of Foreign Languages Yogyakarta.

This report will never finish without assistance, criticism, correction, and

encouragement of Jiah Fauziah, S.S., the writer consultant of graduating paper. I

owe you much debt of gratefulness for smoothing the way of finishing this paper.

I also express my gratitude to my beloved parents: my father, Pandego

Rengga, and my mother, Tiko Larigi, and my beloved sister: Sulhaeni,

Marhana, and Marlini. With their spirit, trust and wishes, I can finish my study

without many obstacles. Specifically to my mom who becomes my big motivation

to live my life, no one could replace and follow your steps.

My thanks go to A. Eko Nugroho, HROD Administration Coordinator

of PT Inco Human Resources and Organization Development who gave an

opportunity to do research in Regional External Relations Department of PT Inco.

Fieldwork would not have been possible without cooperation and support

of many people in Regional External Relations Department of PT Inco. I am

grateful to my mentor, Sulvi Suardi, the Public Affair Officer of Regional

External Relations Department, and Mega Ihyamuis, the Media Relation Officer

of PT Inco Regional External Relations Department. What can I do without your

helping hand?

vii
 I have not enough words to express my everlasting gratitude to the

Griffin’s family. Because of all their support and spirit, I can make my dream

come to reality. Thank you for believing in me and giving love in my life. You

will always live in the deep of my heart.

My gratitude until the end of time to my adorable friend Linda Griffin,

you are not only my friend, my mom, but also sometimes my enemy while I am in

the way to be myself. God Blesses me to give someone like you, I love you.

I also appreciate Dr. Stephanus Djawanai, the head of LIA School of

Foreign Languages of Yogyakarta, Hanandyo Dardjito, S.Pd., M.Hum, the

writer academic consultant, Drs. Widiarno, the coordinator of the graduating

paper, Hesthy Herusatoto, S.S., M.A., the head of English Department, Drs.

Agus Darwanto, M.A., the Deputy I, Bramastyo Laksbiantoro, S.E., M.M., the

Deputi II, Ontje Helena Manurung, S.S., M.Hum., the Deputy III.

I am grateful to all lecturers in English Department, la section Français

who added the writer knowledge, and all staff who already give “good” services

from the beginning until finishing my study in LIA School of Foreign Languages

Yogyakarta.

I express special thank to my lovely friends: Krista Sarmatiuk, Marion

Prior, Mary Hodkin, Catherine McInally, and Rejeanne Prpic for their be

loved, spirits that gives me support - throughout the process of finishing my study.

I would like to be grateful to my friends for making me feel home in

Yogyakarta: Ayun Inges who leaves amazing colour in my life experiences,

Ikhsan Prabowo for taking care of me in my first year, Hudi, I owe you much

viii
debt during my stay in this city and I will always keep in my memory what you

ever said to me” we will be friend wherever we are”. Riris, my dormitory mate,

forgive me if I too much teach you how to become disciplined.

Exclusive thanks I give to Kathryn May Robinson, Senior Fellow and

Head of Department in Anthropology, Research School of Pacific and Asian

Studies at Australian National University of Australia who ever became a part of

my childhood and for keeping in touch when I did collect data.

I am gratefulness always to Jumi and Nonon. Time is passing quickly

but I know you will always live in my heart. Thank you for being wonderful

friends.

Thank you finally to my “only” friends in LIA School of Foreign

Languages Yogyakarta: Nisya, Otto Chandra, Ledi Diana, Oggy, Setyo and all

English Club members. I become myself when I am with you all. Also thank you

to my classmates for being good friends.

The writer realized this report still has much limitedness. Criticism and

suggestion are welcome to complete this report. Lastly, hopefully this paper can

be helpful To Whom It May Concern.

Yogyakarta, June 2nd, 2006

Mardiani
The writer

ix
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title .......................................................................................................................... i

Approval Page......................................................................................................... ii

Admission Sheet .................................................................................................... iii

Abstract .................................................................................................................. iv

Intisari ..................................................................................................................... v

Motto and Dedications ........................................................................................... vi

Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... vii

Table of Contents .................................................................................................... x

Chapter I Introduction ........................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of Study .................................................................................. 1

1.2 Statement of Problems................................................................................ 3

1.3 Scope of Study............................................................................................ 3

1.4 Objective of Study ...................................................................................... 3

1.5 Analytical Approach................................................................................... 4

1.6 Method of Collecting Data ......................................................................... 5

1.7 Paper Organization ..................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2 Description of Sorowako...................................................................... 7

x
 2.1 Sorowako’s Location, History and Heritage .............................................. 7

2.1.1 The Location of Sorowako.................................................................. 7

2.1.2 The History of Sorowako’s Region .................................................... 8

2.1.2.1 Sorowako in Mokole Nuha and Dutch Colonial Periods

(1800 – early 1940s).................................................................. 10

2.1.2.2 Sorowako in Islam Rebellion (DI/TII) Period (1950 – 1965)... 11

2.1.2.3 Sorowako in Suharto Regime (1965 – 1998)............................ 13

2.1.2.4 Sorowako in Reform Period (1998 – Present) .......................... 14

2.1.3 The Heritage of Sorowako ................................................................ 15

2.2 PT Inco History in Sorowako ................................................................... 18

2.2.1 Organization Structures of PT Inco................................................... 19

2.2.2 Community Development Program .................................................. 22

Chapter 3 Analysis .............................................................................................. 24

3.1 The Effects of PT Inco in Sorowako’s Local Cultural Traditions............ 25

3.1.1 The Loss of Land and the Change of Livelihood.............................. 26

3.1.2 The Rapid Growth of Migration ....................................................... 27

3.1.3 The Globalisation of Culture............................................................. 30

3.2 The Role of PT Inco Regional External Relations Department Program on

Community Development......................................................................... 32

3.2.1 Local Culture Development Program ............................................... 35

3.3 The Efforts of the Community in Developing Their Local Cultural

Traditions.................................................................................................. 39

xi
 3.3.1 Sorowako Indigenous Organization (KWAS) .................................. 39

3.3.2 Sorowako Youth Association (Karang Taruna Tambang)............... 43

3.3.3 Measa Aroa Association ................................................................... 44

Chapter 4 Conclusion and Suggestion ................................................................ 47

Bibliography.......................................................................................................... 49

Appendices............................................................................................................ 53

xii
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Indonesia is a country richly endowed with natural resources. Like other countries

in Southeast Asia, since long time ago Indonesia has been known to the world as

an exporter of a wide range of raw materials, including mining commodities.

One of the precious mining areas in Indonesia is Sorowako1 that lies on

the shore of Lake Matano, at the head of the Gulf of Bone, which separates the

southeast and southwest arm of the Sulawesi island. This beautiful town, in the

middle of the jungle, is a region of South Sulawesi province. It is not only famous

as a mining town, but also home to several clans of people.

In addition, this is the location of PT International Nickel Indonesia Tbk,

commonly known as PT Inco. The company came into operation in 1968. The

public believe Sorowako was only a small village. It becomes a future town

because of the company, a mining company from Canada.

On the other hand, the arrival of PT Inco, 37 years ago changes the

agriculture conditions in the area and almost made the society lose their local

cultural traditions.

1
Soroako’ is an alternative spelling

1
 2

The new generations of people in Sorowako are not aware that PT Inco

has impacted their lives. Besides, they are not being familiar with their own local

culture. It is certain that Sorowakans could not ignore this problem. They should

begin to think what they have to do for regeneration their local cultural traditions

for the future generation. The initiative must come from the community itself.

Although, it needs much challenge, the new generations of the society should

desire to do it.

Moreover, they are not alone, as a company that concerns and feels

responsible for the community, PT Inco has conducted community development

programs for them. One of the programs is local culture development.

However, the program itself will not be carried out if the company does

not have good relationship with the society. In this case, the role of public

relations especially comes from Regional External Relations Department of PT

Inco, which is very significant. Public Relations as a company interpreter has to

know to put up their position and understand how to communicate the programs

by seeing the community condition at the moment. It is expected that there is no

misunderstanding and the people can take many opportunities to develop their

local culture that almost extincts. Finally yet importantly, having good

relationship is the key to make the program successful.

Based on the brief explanation above, the writer is interested in choosing

the impact of PT Inco on Sorowako’s local cultural traditions to be analyzed as a

topic report to fulfill the requirements for the Diploma 3 degree graduating paper

in LIA School of Foreign Languages Yogyakarta.

 3

1.2 Statement of Problems

Recitation to the impact of PT Inco on Sorowako’s local cultural traditions will be

focused on searching for clear information from the society and the Information

Center of PT Inco. The focus of the investigation will be spelled out in the

following questions:

1. What are the effects of the existence of PT Inco towards the people’s local

cultural traditions?

2. What does the company do to assist the community to develop their local

cultural traditions?

3. What should the community do to keep their local cultural traditions alive?

1.3 Scope of Study

The impact of PT Inco on Sorowako’s local cultural traditions will be analyzed

according to the problems above. The Local cultural traditions of Sorowako in this

paper refer to the local heritage. The local heritage includes the local foods, local

language, local crafts, and local festival.

1.4 Objective of Study

The main purposes of this study are:

1. To identify the effects of PT Inco policy to the society’s local cultural

traditions.
 4

2. To recognize what PT Inco has done to assist the development of the

community local cultural traditions.

3. To explore the community’ efforts to keep their local cultural traditions alive.

1.5 Analytical Approach

The writer analyzes the topic based on the reference by Ife’s theory about local

cultural traditions in Community Development: Creating Community

Alternatives-Vision, Analysis and Practice (1995:156). Local cultural traditions

are an important part of a sense of community, and help to provide a community

with a sense of identity. Community development, therefore, will often seek to

identify the important elements of the local culture and to preserve them.

In addition, the writer also applies Frank and Smith’s theory about

community development in The Community Development Handbook: a Tool to

Build Community Capacity (1999:6).Community development is the planned

evolution of all aspects of community well-being (economical, social,

environmental and cultural). It is a process whereby community members come

together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problem.

Community development is about community building that focuses on

the natural resources, creating jobs and wealth. It is a process that increases the

ability of people, as individuals and groups, to prepare and respond to opportunity

and challenge in their community.

 5

1.6 Method of Collecting Data

In collecting data, the writer chooses the methods as follow:

1. Observation

The writer will observe the living conditions of Sorowako society directly.

2. Deep Interview

The writer will interview history witnesses in Sorowako society, who have

experience the living conditions in Sorowako many years before the arrival of

PT Inco.

3. Library Research

The writer will need to have some data from the Information Center of PT

Inco about:

- Reports related to PT Inco

- PT Inco Annual reports

- Some information about South Sulawesi, especially which is related with

Sorowako region

4. Internet Research

The writer will research data from Internet regarding the world opinion of PT

Inco’s operation in Sorowako.

1.7 Paper Organization

This report consists of four chapters. Chapter one is introduction that consists of

the background of study, statement of problems, scope of study, objective of

study, analytical approach, method of collecting data, and paper organization. The
 6

second chapter contains a description of Sorowako, consisting general explanation

about the location, history and heritage, and PT Inco history, organizational

structure including its community development programs. Chapter three consists

of the analysis of the three problems. The last chapter consists of conclusion and

suggestions.
 CHAPTER 2

DESCRIPTION OF SOROWAKO

Many places in Indonesia become famous because they have amazing historical

inheritance. In contrast, Sorowako’s region has been known in the world because

of PT Inco’s operation in the area. Many people do not know if Sorowako has

long history that needs to be exposed since it is very interesting.

2.1 Sorowako’s Location, History and Heritage

2.1.1 The Location of Sorowako

Sorowako was located in a remote area on the lake shore of Lake Matano, which

has clear water and is the fifth deepest Lake in the world.2 Sorowako that is a part

of South Sulawesi is next to Central Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi. The region

is about 600 kilometres from Makassar,3 capital of South Sulawesi. A journey

from Makassar to Sorowako is about 12 hours by bus and only needs an hour by

airplane. Nowadays, Sorowako has been a vital commodity for East Luwu

regency, a new autonomy region since February 25, 2003.

2
According to www.reliability.com/press_release/indonesia_rcameth_0205.htm (February 3,
2005)
3
Ujung Pandang’ is an alternative name

7
 8

2.1.2 The History of Sorowako’s Region

The name of Sorowako was taken from the name of a kind of plants. The

indigenous people called it Serewako. It smells aromatic. In general, the flowers

are similar with Kenanga flower.4 This unique plant used to grow in that area and

the surroundings. That’s why the area is called Sorowako. However, the plants are

very difficult to be found in town.

Little fieldwork had been done about the first occupation of Sorowako.

According to Mattoreang in Andi Halu: Mokole Nuha dan Pemerintahannya

(1998: 4) Sorowako has been occupied since the late nineteenth century. Before

that, several clans live separately on the surrounding area on the shore of Lake

Matano. Afterwards, they united in one area under leadership of Mokole Nuha, a

member of customary council in Luwu kingdom, one level with subdistrict. Luwu

Kingdom was the oldest Bugis5 kingdom in South Sulawesi.

Although there is no clear information about where their ethnic ancestors

come, their cultures have something in common with culture in other provinces,

especially Central Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi. According to inauguration

committee of head regent and vice regent East Luwu Regency in era 2005 – 2010

in Babak Baru Luwu Timur Bumi Batara Guru (2005: 11) Ch. Pingak notes in

“Dokumentasi Kolaka” (unknown), that there are blood relation between the

community who live on the area of the shore of Lake Matano, Lake Mahalona and

4
The ylang-ylang or cananga, a shrub the flowers of which produce oils for perfume
5
Bugis is one of the biggest ethnic in South Sulawesi.
 9

Lake Towuti with tolaki, (Konawe and Mekongga).6 When migration happened

centuries ago from the coasts of the lakes, one group went to east and another

settled at the Gulf of Bone. In fact, they do not consider themselves as a part from

them. Based on history witnesses, they believe that they were the original

inhabitants of the region. Even though, they are a part of Luwu territory that

dominated Bugis ethnic, but the society itself likes to call themselves Sorowako

people. Until today, the indigenous people of Sorowako have just seven to eight

generations.

Most of the residents of Sorowako and the surrounding areas earn their

living from the land, the forest and the lake. They relied on the land to make their

living, through planting rice and other crops. The inhabitants also made living

from harvesting forest products such as rattan, resin and wood. Moreover, Lake

Matano provides a livelihood for the community. People eat native fishes from the

lake such as an oddly shaped transparent fish called botini; opudi, pangkila,

kolame (a small crayfish), crab and oyster.

Lake Matano is also used by its surrounding inhabitants as a means of

transportation between villages using traditional rafts. In addition, some of the

people have used motorboats as transportations between villages such as to

Matano and Nuha villages.

The history of Sorowako can be divided into several periods, that are:

6
According to Serial Indonesia Indah (1995). Nowadays, most of the Tolaki live in Kendari and
Kolaka Surrounding (Southeast Sulawesi).” To” is people in local language
 10

2.1.2.1 Sorowako in Mokole Matano/ Nuha and Dutch Colonial Periods

(1800 – early 1940s)7

Since long times ago, Tana Luwu has been known as heterogenic communities. In

its glorious era, Luwu kingdom gave some autonomy leadership to several areas

such as Macowa, Mincara and Mokole. Sorowako and the surrounding villages

were the areas of Mokole.8 The area of Mokole is covered by Sorowako and the

surrounding villages. Its area has many kinds of sub-ethniches as follow: to

Rahampu’u, to Karonsi’e, to Tambe’e, to Weula, to Taipa, to Routa, to Romundre,

to Padoe, and to Sorowako. The names of the clans were taken from their living

areas.

Mokole’s government lasted from 1814 to 1930s. Andi Lambaka or Opu

Janggo was the first chairman. Sorowakans called him Opu Bintao Wita, someone

who left his birth land. At last in 1905, after changing three leaderships, Andi

Halu was crowned as Mokole. It was different with the other Mokole, which was

according to full agreement among the Luwu custom council. Andi Halu was

crowned by the Dutch colonial and Luwu custom council agreement. Since then,

Dutch colonial had changed Mokole’s name to become the “district head”.

Before using Nuha as the name of the district, there were arguments

among the members of community. Some of them wanted to give a name Weula

and others wanted to give a name Matano. After three meetings without any

agreement reached, with her policy, Andi Halu decided to use Nuha as the district

7
According to Mattoreang, Andi Syamsu in Andi Halu: Mokole Nuha dan Pemerintahannya
(1998)
8
Mokole’s leadership only given to aristocrats family
 11

name. It is still used until today because Nuha was their meeting place. Nuha

means here not the Nuha village that people are familiar with. At that stage,

Sorowako and the surrounding villages was called Nuha region.9 Even though

Dutch colonial changed Mokole into a district, Sorowakans and the surrounding

villagers still regarded Andi Halu as Mokole Nuha.

Andi Halu’s government brought many changes to the people. Firstly, the

communities who used to live separately finally lived in nearby areas by forming

several villages. After that, Andi Halu also brought up some Bugis people to assist

and to develop Andi Halu government. They did not only help Mokole Nuha to

teach people how to make wet rice field and to irrigate, but they also taught Islam

religion to the people.

The last important thing, according to Sangadji in Japanese Involvement

in Nickel Mining in Indonesia, a discussion paper prepared for a meeting of

Japanese NGOs in Tokyo (2002), in this era the Dutch colonial also found an area

that was a key source of nickel in eastern Indonesia. In the area near Lake Matano

and almost reaching the Kalaena River, about half of the laterite ores (nickel) that

rested inside iron deposits lay very close to the earth’s surface.

2.1.2.2 Sorowako in Islam Rebellion (DI/TII) Period (1950 – 1965)

The end of the Dutch colony in Indonesia and the victory of the Republicans also

presaged the end of the dominations for the kings who had dominated Sulawesi

9
See appendices: Dutch colonial map in 1897
 12

for centuries. They were so powerful in many areas that initially the new

government could not do without them.

The most serious conflict of the period was inside the military itself.

According to International Crisis Group Asia Report No: 60 in Indonesia:

Managing Decentralization and Conflict in South Sulawesi (July 18, 2003), South

Sulawesi guerrillas were rejected as a part of Indonesia military brigade by Jakarta

government. It caused Kahar Muzakkar, the leader of the guerrillas, and his

fellows rebelled against the new government. In August 1949, they proclaimed a

new Islam Indonesia country in Sulawesi. In 1950s, after Kahar Muzakkar had

made a contact with the rebellion head of Darul Islam in West Java, he also used

the name Darul Islam. Kahar Muzakkar has seen Islam as a way to get support

from South Sulawesi communities against Jakarta government. It is their purpose

to make the new country. It is not about founding an Islamic country. Although

the rebellion had been destroyed in many places and had been made people lose

their land and livelihood, Kahar Muzakkar was regarded as a hero by many people

in South Sulawesi. Nevertheless, it was different from the history witnesses’

opinion in Sorowako. In their memory, Islam rebellion was the beginning of their

suffering.

People in Sorowako have become Muslim since 1911. Based on the

interviews with Mr. Ahmad Jufri (Grandson of Daeng Masalle and now also as a

Muslim leader in Sorowako) and Mr. A. Syamsu Mattoreang (Grandson of Andi

Halu; Mokole Nuha) on August 10 -11, 2005, Daeng Masalle was the first leader

of Islam who taught Islam to the society. He came to this village because he was
 13

ordered by Andi Halu. At that time, indigenous people accepted Islam without

compulsion. However, the report published by Anthropology Laboratory of

Hasanuddin University Makassar in Profil Komunitas dan Konflik di Wilayah

Konsesi PT Inco (2003:13) stated that Kahar Muzakkar has a role in the

dissemination of Islam to the villagers that live at the shore of Lake Matano.

Before the Islam rebellion came to the areas, for several years Moslem

and Christians, the Karonsi’e Dongi 10clan, lived in serenity. The arrival of Islam

rebellion in 1950s had made the relationship a little bit broken. The suffering of

Karonsi’e Dongi clan was forced to change their faith into Islam. Under the order

of Kahar Muzakkar, both of the societies had to move from their land and

continued their life in Soluro, an area in another coast of Lake Matano. Around

1953, with Indonesian armies assisting, the Karonsi’e Dongi clan was moved

from the evacuation area and live separately in several places, i.e. Malili,

Wasuponda and areas in Central Sulawesi. The Karonsi’e Dongi chose to move

because they did not want to change their religion to Islam. As a result,

Sorowakans had survived in an isolated area for more than ten years.

2.1.2.3 Sorowako in Suharto Regime (1965 – 1998).

In 1965, DI/TII was defeated in a war by Indonesia military. Between 1965 –

1968, the Sorowako inhabitants returned from their evacuation. The society

continued to live normally. Unfortunately, not all people had returned to their

land, Karonsi’e Dongi clan who once lived closely to Sorowako inhabitants could

10
Dongi or kampung Baru was a name of place, which is known as PT Inco’s golf field at the
present.
 14

not get their land when Suharto government signed a contract of work with PT

Inco in July, 1968.

Quoting by Robinson in Revisiting Inco, (2000) Robinson states that

their hopes were not realized. “In the manner common to the New Order Projects,

the people were forced to relinquish their land without adequate compensation.

The Sorowakans had no choice but to give up their agriculture land”. According

to Ballard in Human Rights and the Mining Sector in Indonesia: A Baseline Study

(2001: 20), under the terms of the contract of work, PT Inco has the right to

almost all land of Sorowako including some areas in Central Sulawesi and

Southeast Sulawesi. There were no royalties paid to the community. Land

negotiations were restricted to the local government and PT Inco, and the local

communities were excluded from all decision – making. Although the land

compensation has been paid but the community has still refused to accept the

original compensation payment. It was the beginning of the fighting between the

indigenous people who had their land lost on one side and PT Inco with their own

government on another side.

2.1.2.4 Sorowako in Reform Period (1998 – Present)

No body can ignore that PT Inco has given many positive things for the town. On

the contrary, the indigenous people feel PT Inco has been unfair to them. After

waiting for more than 30 years, they have made a commitment under the name

Sorowako Indigenous Organization (KWAS: Kerukunan Wawainia Asli

 15

Sorowako). Using this forum, they have been asking for a fair dealing from PT

Inco.

Subsequently, by their first chairman Andi Baso A.M, the union has

brought many positive things to the community. One of them was PT Inco has

given land compensation to several indigenous people in Sumasang area or Tapu

Ondau. Finally, the union also found out that PT Inco had conducted community

development programs. Actually, this program has existed since 1975, but the

people are not aware of this.

2.1.3 The Heritage of Sorowako

The expanding of population in Sorowako region has been changing since the

leadership of Mokole Nuha. It was also home for Andi Halu’s family and a few

clans from several areas. It is not surprising if their local cultural traditions have

something in common with the traditions of its surroundings. However, the

indigenous people have developed their own specific local crafts, local food, local

language, and local festival.

The local crafts of Indigenous people have been made of iron, special

grass leaves and clay soil. For many years, the society had known how to smelt

iron and create many things from it especially knives, swords, spears, and bowls

for cooking. Next, women use their spare time to plait a special grass leaves

(tolewatu for bigger leaves and tiu for small leaves) into many kinds of baskets

that they use daily. Besides, they used clay soil to create many kinds of household

items such as large earthenware bowls for water, and pots for cooking.
 16

The daily staple food of Sorowakans is not different from food that their

neighbourhood eats. Sago was very useful to change rice when the society should

live in an isolated area. People eat almost all kinds of animal from the lake: fishes,

oysters, crabs and crayfish. There are several kinds of activities for fishing:

1. Mameti: fishing activities using toes to catch oysters hidden under the sand or

gravel on the lake.

2. Meopudi: fishing activities using trunks of coconut leaves to drive opudi, a

rare fish species of Lake Matano into a net.

3. Mawuwu: fishing activities using a traditional trap made of rattan and bamboo

for trapping crab.

4. Mapuka: fishing activities using a net to catch fish. It is similar with the way

of fishing in other places in Indonesia.

5. Masalue and mongkabi: fishing activities using traditional things made of

trunk of sago palm and bamboo as a frame an use a bark of wood as string.

While almost all people in Luwu region speak Bugis language because of

their shared Islamic culture and a few clans speak Toraja language, the indigenous

people of Sorowako are different. Based on their mother tongues, Sorowakans

speak a language in common with Mori language, an ethnicity in Central

Sulawesi and the other neighbouring areas such as Matano village and Nuha

village. The only differences are the accents (the pronunciation) and the meaning

of some words.

Every year after harvesting rice, the society has padungku, a harvest

festival. Padungku is an expression of gratitude to God for a successful year.

 17

Besides, padungku is a symbol that their rice barns are already full. The padungku

party was held by sharing the work among the members of community. It is called

peasa aroa. Padungku is led by the head of a village and some older people. The

society considered that padungku was a holy party because people have to obey

some prohibitions, such as not eating and drinking too much. It is good that

people will still become under control. As a result, there is no fight and they still

obey their customs.

At padungku party (mapadungku), people always prepare some special

foods and drinks from that area. They are:

1. Pewo (bamboo rice): white or black sticky rice soaked in coconut milk and

put in a bamboo covered by banana leaf inside,

2. Winalu: plan rice wrapped inside lewe powalua (leaf for barbecue and roast)

put in bamboo,

3. Binalo: small slices of young banana mixed with grated coconut and meat

(buffalo, beef or chicken), put in bamboo, baked all together with pewo, and

winalu,

4. Wokeno: sweet cake made of slightly fermented red or black sticky rice,

5. Pongasi: alcoholic beverage made from wokeno.

A day before padungku, from the night until early in the morning all

foods described above are baked in every house yard. They celebrate the harvest

festival for seven days. In additions, they do not forget to invite their

neighbourhoods. During this special occasion they will hold some competitions,
 18

such as rowboat races, sport of kick- fighting (traditional martial arts), and

bamboo music from Matano village.

Additionally, Sorowakans has Monsado, a special dancing that is always

presented in the opening ceremony. Also, one which is never forgotten is

Madero. It is a people game. The game has been popular in Sorowako and the

surrounding villages for years. This game is always played by young men and

young women when the society hold a special occasion. Many of them take an

opportunity to look for their mate in this moment. Conversely, because of Islam

belief influence, Madero is rare to be played.

2.2 PT Inco History in Sorowako11

Nickel has been found in the island of Southeastern Sulawesi since 1938. Based

on the government’s aim to build a new mining company in Sulawesi, which

would eventually create employment opportunities and support the state’s

economic growth, Inco Ltd of Canada was selected from a short list of several

companies to negotiate a contract of work in January 1968. Next, on July 25, 1968

article of association were approved and registered, officially establishing a new

company PT International Nickel Indonesia Tbk (PT Inco). After that, on July 27,

1968, the Contract of Work was signed between the government of Indonesia and

PT Inco for 30 years period of commercial production from April 1, 1978 to

March 31, 2008. Full-scale exploration begins immediately after the signing of the

11
Based on the Writer Collecting Data Report for PT Inco Human Resources and Organization
Development (September 2005: 9) and the Writer Job Training Report at Singkole International
School Sorowako (October 2005: 6)
 19

Contract of Work. At last, in January 1996, the modification and extension of

Contract of Work were signed for another 30 years through 2025.

Contract of Work of PT Inco was originally granted an area of 6.6 million

hectares, covering parts of three of the six provinces on the Island of Sulawesi:

South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi provinces. The

exploration was begun in the area near Malili and at the same time in Sorowako.

In 1970s, the exploration phase revealed significant deposits of good nickel grades

in Sorowako. Since then, PT Inco has begun their operation in that area until

today.

The company produces nickel in matte.12 Its entire production is sold in

U.S. Dollars under long - term contracts for refining in Japan. For helping their

operation, PT Inco has been assisted by professional workers and has been

supported by good facilities and infrastructure sectors.

In 2005, 60,8 percent of the company is owned by Inco Ltd of Canada and

20,9 percent of it by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd of Japan. Another 20

percent of PT Inco’s share is owned by public shareholders and four other

Japanese companies.

2.2.1 Organization Structures of PT Inco

According to the location, PT Inco has three offices in Indonesia. First, a central

office company is located in Jakarta. Second, an operational central office is

located in Sorowako. At last, a delegation office is located in Makassar. Besides,

12
Matte is an impure product of the smelting of sulphide ores
 20

the company also has international buyer offices in Singapore and Sudbury,

Canada.

PT Inco is led by two chairpersons. They are:

1. President and Chief Executive Officer located in Jakarta, which supervises:

- Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer located in Jakarta

- Regional Audit manager located in Sorowako

- Director of Regional External Relations located in Sorowako

- Director of Corporate External Relations located in Jakarta

- Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Secretary located in Jakarta

2. Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer located in Sorowako,

which supervises the following staffs in Sorowako:

- Regional Manager Internal Audit, Asia

- Utilities Manager

- Karebbe13 Project Manager

- Director Investor Relations and Corporate Secretary

- Exploration Manager

- Director Corporate External Relations

- Project Plan Manager

- General Facilities and Safety Manager

- Environment, Health and Safety Manager

- Information Technology Manager

- Energy and Technical Development Manager

13
Karebbe is a village name. It becomes of the company place for building a new dam. The new
dam is still in progressing. It will expand PT Inco’s hydroelectric generating capacity in the future.
 21

- Supply Chain Management Manager

- Director Regional External Relations

- Strategic Planning Manager

- Security Service Director

- Director of Taxes

- Risk Management Specialist

- Comptroller

- Support and Engineering Services Manager

- Business Development Specialist

The operation activities of PT Inco in Sorowako are divided into two

divisions. They are:

1. Operations, which supervises:

- Mine Department

- Process Plant Department

2. Supports, which supervises:

- Support and Engineering Service Department

- Utilities Department

- Environment, Health, and Safety Department

- Internal Audit Department

- Human Resources Department

- Information System Department

- Supply Chain Management Department

- Comptroller Department
 22

- Regional External Relations Department

From all departments mentioned above, Regional External Relations

Department is a department that has several units and multifaceted responsibility.

The department not only has a responsibility in connecting the company with

Indonesian government and community, but also represents the image of PT Inco,

becoming conceiver and organizer of community development, helping capacity

building local government, and educating local community.

2.2.2 Community Development Program14

As an effort of a closer cooperation with employees, local government, and

community in areas of the company’s operation, PT Inco has conducted

Community Development Program in South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and

Southeast Sulawesi provinces. South Sulawesi itself is divided into Nuha and

Sorowako, Malili, and Towuti districts.

There are several stages of Community Development Program of PT

Inco. First, the program is only concentrated on basic requirement i.e.

infrastructure development. Then, the effort is on changing the community

opinion pattern from dependency into self - supporting with entrepreneurship

soul. The company begins transferring the facilities under local government and

community respond. Next, the company continues infrastructure development

program that is still needed and maintains the facilities. After that, the company

14
According to PT Inco Annual Report of Community Development Program (2004) and
Abubakar, M. Dahlan and friends in Inco Mengalir di Tengah Gejolak Pertambangan (2004:131 –
132)
 23

helps the community by giving information on how to increase the production and

get the success in entrepreneurship business by improving management ability.

Finally, the company extends the scope of the community development with

cooperation local government and local contractors.

Nowadays, the priority programs of the Community Development are on

education and training, health, agriculture, utility and infrastructure, local

businesses development and local culture development (Civic Affairs, Social and

Culture sectors).
 CHAPTER 3

ANALYSIS

THE IMPACT OF PT INCO ON SOROWAKO’S

LOCAL CULTURAL TRADITIONS

The writer analyzes the three problems in chapter one by seeing the influence of

PT Inco’s operation in Sorowako’s society, which related directly to the local

cultural traditions from the beginning of the company explorations, now and the

future. More significantly, the writer wants reader to comprehend that the writer

does not blame or side with whoever in analyzing the problems.

At first, the writer wants to explain a little bit about indigenous people of

Sorowako. They are the community who has lived in Sorowako since before the

arrival of PT Inco. Nowadays, most of them live in Nikkel village commonly

known as Sorowako lama area (old Sorowako). A small number of them live

separated in other villages, which are part of Sorowako and the surrounding areas.

Based on their history, Sorowakans are people who can accept and adapt

to new things easily. Above all, they have accepted several clans to include in

their community and have accepted Islam as their religion without compulsion

since Mokole Nuha leadership. Then, they have accepted the mine explorers and

have adapted to their customs since the early years of the arrival of PT Inco in

town.

24
 25

As a result, the new habits have changed the local society’s daily life.

Finally, it turns out that the new way of life has made the local society almost lose

their uniqueness that is their special characteristic as Sorowakans.

3.1 The Effects of PT Inco on Sorowako’s Local Cultural Traditions

The sense of suffering because of the invasion of Islam rebellion for almost 15

years had been not recovered yet. The society just returned from their evacuation

area when Sorowako became the second generation of mining project Contract of

Work in the early Suharto’s government. Once again, the indigenous people of

Sorowako should face one situation; the society must lose their land again.

The expropriation of land based on the Contract of Work between PT Inco

and Suharto’s government had made the society have no choice and should lose

their land in 1968. PT Inco got the right to almost all land in the area of

Sorowako. PT Inco’s operation changed the area to become mining town.

The operation has affected the society’s life. The presence of PT Inco has

increased the economic income by the society in general. On the other hand, it

also increased the globalization of culture. Consequently, the indigenous people

have begun to live in the new way of life by adapting other traditions. Migrants

have brought the external cultures since the early operation of PT Inco. Global

media also influence the condition. That is why the local people are difficult to

preserve their own culture. Since the society adapt easily to the global culture, the

society are not aware if they almost lose their own local cultural traditions.
 26

3.1.1 The Loss of Land and the Change of Livelihood

Prior to the arrival of PT Inco, the land was a part of the community livelihood.

However, most of the society can not rely fully on the agriculture land and the

forest after the presence of the company. Only a few families are still lucky to

work on the wet rice fields that are near the society settlement.

In addition, the harvest produced from the wet rice fields is no more

enough for their daily life. Since then, many of men from the society have worked

as manual workers in PT Inco projects. Some of them leave their homeland to

make another way for life. Similarly, many of the women used to become only

housewives who stayed at home and earned nothing. Since their men did

something else, they have had no choice except replacing their men working in

the wet rice fields. Nowadays, it is not surprising to find more women than men

working at the wet rice fields.

The high cost of living in town has made a small number of people who

have land in the surrounding of Lake Matano shore transform their unirrigated

rice fields into cocoa and clove plantations since around 1984. The people

consider it is more beneficial and profitable for them.

The influence of the decrease of rice farmland is very influential to

Padungku, a harvest festival that is always celebrated every year. Even though the

meaning of padungku is not changing, it is very different from the harvest festival

many years ago. These days, the local society celebrates harvest festival a half day

only. It does not involve the whole society anymore because only a few families
 27

have wet rice fields. The harvest festival is attended no more than by specific

guests.

In relation with the existence of Lake Matano, although it does provide

fishes but the people are not interested in working as fishermen. Fishing is only

their part time. The society do fishing just for their own family need. Besides that,

they are going familiar eating seafood that is easier to find in markets rather than

they have to go fishing. Slowly, the scenery of fishing by using traditional things

is rarely seen.

3.1.2 The Rapid Growth of Migration

The growth of population in Sorowako has developed rapidly since the presence

of PT Inco in 1968. According to Robinson in Stepchildren of Progress: the

Political Economy of Development in an Indonesian Mining Town (1986), the

villagers of Sorowako were only about 1000 people (including Bugis people)

when the company came in Sorowako. Since then, the amount of the population

has become larger. At this moment, the number of population in Sorowako is

about 16314 people (Nuha District data in April 2006). They do not only come

from many places in Indonesia, but also come from a few countries around the

world such as Canada, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand. Based on

information from the head of KWAS in June 2006, the indigenous people of

Sorowako itself are about 700 families only.

PT Inco’s operation in town has made many outsiders interested to come

in town. In addition to look for a job, some of them take opportunities to open
 28

business. The migrants are also one of the reasons why the lake becomes

settlement.

During the mining early years, the company has begun to build good

facilities and infrastructure for supporting their operation. The company needs

many temporary workers to build all the facilities and infrastructure. The

labourers not only come from many places in Indonesia, but also from all over the

world.

The indigenous people did not passively see the big opportunity. They

have tried to compete with the migrant labourers. However, with limited of skill

and education, the people are only able to be manual workers.

After finishing the project, the small village, which once was empty

because the community should live in an isolated area, is becoming a mining

town. This condition is not only beneficial for the indigenous people, but also for

outsiders.

The hard competition of working in PT Inco with the migrants continues.

The competition can not be stopped until today. The company has given “priority”

to the indigenous people, but they are still difficult to have permanent well –

paying job. It is particularly due to their qualifications.

This condition has influenced a small number of the new generation of

the society who have possessed degrees. Only a few of them have opportunity to

work in the company, which is dominated by men. Some of them just stay at

home, earning nothing.

 29

Normally, everybody wants to work in PT Inco and its contractors. The

high living cost makes them expect to have an opportunity working with the

company. Even tough they only work as manual workers, they can get good

salary.

The prospect of business is wide open for outsiders only because they

have bigger finance than that of the local people. Moreover, almost all local

contractors that have been founded in the area are only interested in being a

supplier of workers for PT Inco’s new projects and a supplier of material for the

company need; instead of opening business related to the society needs. However,

there are several local people who have developed their ability by opening a small

home industry such as opening bakery, selling household products, carpentries,

and becoming tailors.

Since most of the area has been used for the company facilities, the area

for local community is limited. Additionally, many outsiders who have come to

the area have begun building settlement above the lake. It has been followed by

the local society since 1990s.

The communities have broken down the function of the lake

unintentionally. The habits of mameti and meopudi15 have gone because of there

are no more beaches along the settlement. The water is not good anymore for

drinking, cooking, and swimming. There is garbage everywhere.

The condition is opposed to the beaches of the company housing areas.

The beaches of the company housing areas are clean. The water of the beaches is

15
Mameti and meopudi have been explained in chapter 2
 30

still fresh. The beaches are very good for people who want to swim or to spend

their time only waiting for the sunrise and sunset.

Unfortunately, since the beaches area opened for public, sometimes the

beaches look dirty because some people do not care of the beaches cleanliness. It

always happens in the weekend when many people go out for recreation.

3.1.3 The Globalisation of Culture

The plurality of the society has made Sorowakans have no choice; they have to

adapt to the new culture. It is not difficult for them. The good thing is that most of

the external culture is beneficial for them. Conversely, some of the new customs

has made the society unfamiliar with their own.

There are several reasons why the indigenous people are easily to adapt

to the external culture. To begin with, PT Inco’s existence has made the growth of

population uncontrolled. The local community has begun to be familiar on using

Indonesian language to communicate to each other. Notably, some of the

Sorowakans have married the new comers. It can be understood that many of

them, particularly the new generation who were born after the arrival of PT Inco,

can not speak or do not understand Sorowako’s language.

Furthermore, Sorowakans choose to use products from outside rather

than their own products, i.e. local crafts at their home. Outside products are easy

to find and good in quality. Besides that, making local crafts is not simple. Since

the materials of local crafts are difficult to find in town, the small numbers of

people who are able in making the local crafts are not interested to preserve it.
 31

Like living in the big city, the society was never left behind because of

the global media. The globalization of universal media causes them to become

familiar with all new things. Television cable, modern music, film, architecture,

intercontinental food and drink, the latest fashion, sport and other forms of

recreation are becoming parts of their daily life. It is similar with the new

electronic technology that people use daily.

Moreover, phones and cellular phones have come to town since 1997. No

one wants to be out of date. Having mobile phone becomes something useful. For

example, the sellers can directly increase the price on the market because the

sellers with the phones get direct information from their suppliers that the price is

already up.

The indigenous people begin to leave the habit of Madero. A large

number of the people consider the game contradictory to one of Islamic values.

Besides that, Madero is played in the middle of the night only. The society is

anxious if some people will take an opportunity to make troubles.

Slowly but sure, Monsado dance is almost forgotten too. In fact, the

majority of the society does not recognize the traditional dance. They are more

interested in modern dances. Based on last information from Syamsia Heba in

March 2006, the dance is only prepared to be presented when there is any request

from PT Inco or for some local government occasions. Nowadays, there are less

requests. Moreover, Mr. Heba, her father who has preserved the traditional dance,

is no more in good condition.

 32

The society is more familiar with the name of places, which uses English

words because the entire company facility places are labelled bilingual

(Indonesian and English). For illustration, when we ask someone who wants to go

to airport. He or she will answer:” saya ingin pergi ke airport (I want to go to

airport)”.

Miserably, the effects of the global culture has changed with incidents of

alcoholism, prostitution, rape, contract marriage, increasing incidence of teenager

pregnancies, and other forms of violence. At last, news surprised the people in the

early year of 2006. When Indonesia government has been busy on making

“Pornography and Porno action laws”, it is precisely opposed by several teens

who are still studying in one of the private Junior High School in town. The

teenagers made porno action movies and published the movies using mobile

phone. The young generations do not recognize that they have broken their own

future.

3.2 The Role of PT Inco Regional External Relations Department

Program on Community Development

Regional External Relations Department of PT Inco has been responsible to carry

out the Community Development Programs. The company has developed

Community Development Program by restructuring internal department since

2004. The department has been divided into several divisions that connect to

community and government relations.

 33

Horizontally, each of the Government Community Relations and the

Regional Communications have been divided into two divisions.

- Government Community Relations is divided into:

1. Government Relations division that is in charge of not only to develop the

good relations between the company and local government, but also to

conceive the capacity building for local government and as well as to

facilitate good governance achievement.

2. Community Relations division (Nuha and Sorowako, Towuti, and Malili

districts) that is in charge of all areas as the main objects of the

community development programs.

- Regional Communications is divided into:

1. Media Relations division that is in charge of conducting external and

internal publication; providing information and maintaining good

relationship with media/ journalists and NGOs.

2. Public Affairs division that is in charge of making the company

exhibitions, external and internal occasions successful and giving

hospitality service to the company guests.

In addition, the employees in Regional External Relations Department are

the company public relations.16 As the image of the company, they need to have

the ability to communicate well. They should know with whom they want to

communicate the programs according to the community conditions.

16
Public Relations {plural noun (treated as singular)}, the professional maintenance of a
favourable public image by an organization or famous person. Taken from Re. ed. of: The Oxford
Compact English Dictionary – 2nd ed (2003:915), edited by Soanes, Catherine
 34

Effective communication is essential as an effort to proceed the

community development programs so that they will be successful. Moreover,

effective communication depends on more than technology. According to Frank

and Smith in the Community Development Handbook: A tool to Build

Community Capacity (1999), the effective communication requires that the

company public relations have to have the following abilities i.e. the abilities to:

- listen to and respect the opinion of others. They have to give time and

opportunity to the community to inform their opinion.

- be aware of non – verbal ways of communication. They have to take time to

think carefully about what they need to inform and then say it in the simplest

way.

- facilitate conversation and discussion. They have to know that communication

is a two- way dialogue, not just a downloading of information.

- be open and respond to feedback. They have to make efforts the feedback into

communication processes.

The role of public relations in PT Inco is very important. The company

only hires employees as their public relations who have abilities to communicate

the company programs particularly in community development. So far, PT Inco

already has professional public relations. In addition, most of the community

development programs are beneficial for the community because the public

relations able to communicate the company programs to the community.

As a result, effective communication needs time and process. Spending

time on communication is not wasteful. The company public relations has to use a
 35

variety of communication modes to be clear when gives information. The

information should be informed more than once because not all people can

understand directly what is going on. The public relations has to encourage the

people to become involved and to ask question. Consequently, the information

will be accepted easily.

3.2.1 Local Culture Development Program

The influence of PT Inco is awful for the Sorowakans. It is according to the

reports of an anthropologist and non – government organizations (NGOs) such as

Jaringan Advokasi Tambang and Yayasan Tanah Merdeka. All of the reports are

only focused on the bad things. They do not recognize that the company has

already done something useful. PT Inco has conducted Community Development

Programs for the community. One of the programs is Local Culture Development

Program (Civic Affairs, Social and Culture sectors). PT Inco has helped the

society to develop their local cultural traditions indirectly by the program.

PT Inco gives donation based on the proposal program from the society

itself. The donation for Community Development Program changed every year

Although education sector is still the main priority, the local culture development

donation has risen until 20,1 percent in 2004 as noted in PT Inco Community

Development Program Annual Report (2004: 10).

PT Inco carried out most of the local culture development programs in the

form of events. They are:

1. Various Festivals
 36

The company supports cultural programs including the society local art and

cultural festivals. PT Inco becomes the main sponsor on celebrating Republic

Indonesia Independence Day every year. In the meantime, the company also

celebrates the company anniversary. PT Inco’s anniversary is at the end of

July. Accordingly, the management of PT Inco decides to celebrate it at the

same time with the celebration of the Independence Day in a whole month of

August. There are some unforgotten competitions that are always held in Ide

beach, one of PT Inco’s resident areas (Pontada/D area); painting contest,

swimming, rowboats, row-katinting (local motorboat), meopudi, and

mappadenda (Several women are pounding rice in a mortar which has the

shape of traditional boat. It produces beautiful sound). Interestingly, the

community can be involved to participate in a triathlon, a competition that

includes swimming, biking, and running on Canadian Day celebration.

2. Religious Educations

The company supports religious educations that have purpose to increase

quality and to build harmonious relationship among the members of religious

communities. PT Inco gives donation to religious public assembly. For

example, the company had Abdullah Gymnastiar, a Muslim Teacher, brought

in Sorowako to give peace advices and togetherness in front of hundreds of

people from various races, religions, and cultures in April 2005. The company

also gives donation to Sorowako Education Foundation (Yayasan Pendidikan

Sorowako) that often holds religious counselling for Muslim and Christian

students. Additionally, PT Inco supports a Forum of Religious Figures

 37

Communication (FKAUB: Forum Komunikasi Antar Umat Beragama), which

is led by Ardias Barah (a Muslim teacher). This forum has regular meetings to

discuss the current situation and religious impact. Most recently, the

company provides a calendar and a documentary film that is screened in

Singapore International Film Festival on April 19, 2006. The film socialized

to international community so they will know that the community of

Sorowako lives in harmony. The different of races, religions, and cultures do

not become obstacle to improve the way of life and the harmony in Sorowako.

3. Sunday Market Event

Sunday Market Event has become a routine agenda of Community Relations

Department since March 2005. The event that is always held on the first

Sunday of each month has main purpose, i.e. socializing all the company

program informally. By distributing Inkomunikasi magazine (PT Inco internal

publication), brochures, bulletins, newsletters, posters and stickers, the

community is expected to know about PT Inco more closely. Besides that, the

event also aims at creating good relationship between expatriate and

Indonesian communities. The event has various activities; the exhibition of PT

Inco and local products, bazaar, game competitions and talent show. More

significantly, the game competitions are not only always different, but the

event is also held in various locations every month in order to involve the

community. So far, the company holds the event in Camp Site (F area),

Benteng field, Persesos field, and Ide beach. Because of that the community

always waits for the next Sunday Market. Lastly, while the company is
 38

holding the event, there are many unforgettable moments such as when

Sunday Market was visited by Scott Hand, the President of Inco Ltd of

Canada in 2005 or when Sunday Market was attended by Seto Mulyadi, the

children psychologist and the chair of Children Protections National

Commission (Komnas Perlindungan Anak) while at the same time, the event

also held a family fitness walk event in February 2006. The committee of the

event predicted that there would be only 500 participants. But the event was

followed by almost 2000 people.

All activities above are Regional Communications Department

responsibility. The local culture development program will not be successful

without their professional work.

Furthermore, supporting the activities, the company helps local

government and society to build sport facilities and to build various useful

buildings such as Ontaeluwu building. The building is for meeting, training,

convention, and exhibitions. It includes two restaurants inside.

In conclusion, all activities mentioned prove that PT Inco has done

something valuable to make the society local cultural traditions able to survive.

President Megawati Sukarno Putri gave Pandu Daya Masyarakat (Padma) award

to Edward (Ted) Hodkin, PT Inco’s President and Chief Executive Officer at

Merdeka palace Jakarta on May 19, 2003. PT Inco Community Development

Programs admitted as the best program of community development by Indonesia

central government. The company was selected from six participants all over

Indonesia.
 39

3.3 The Efforts of the Community in Developing Their Local Cultural

Traditions

The local society of Sorowako seems lack of awareness to protect the value of

their own local culture. Most of them more easily respond to new inspiration from

external culture. It influences the young generation very much. The new

generation always want to be up to date. That is a reason why the adolescents

more easily adapt to the external culture. They are not aware that their community

also have something unique that needs to conserve.

Seeing this condition PT Inco tries several efforts to help the community

preserve their local culture. The company supports the effort of the local

community to keep their identity still alive by local culture development

program’s donation. Moreover, PT Inco supports the indigenous people to

preserve their local culture by presenting it when the company has internal

occasion and when it becomes main sponsor for public events.

To dig local culture that is almost being unable to find is not easy. As the

inheritance for the next generation, the local culture should be able to survive. The

prospect of the local culture to survive should come from the awareness of the

society itself. Therefore, the presence of some associations in town can be

expected to help the preservation of the local culture.

3.3.1 Sorowako Indigenous Organization (KWAS)

The indigenous people of Sorowako have realized the influence of the presence of

PT Inco in town since 1995. Since then, some of the society feel necessary to have
 40

an organization as a means of coordination that can unite the people, bring their

aspiration to PT Inco and the local government, and dig and preserve the local

cultures in the region.

The Sorowako Indigenous Association or KWAS has the main purpose to

assist the local government to create the harmony and peace, and to increase the

prosperity of the indigenous people of Sorowako. The association only has the

indigenous people and the other community who has lived in the region before

1967 as their members.

Furthermore, the existence of the association has been known since 2000.

The first progress of KWAS can be seen after their demonstration in town on

April 3, 2000. The effect of the demonstration is very useful for the local society

needs.

The presence of KWAS gives significant influence to the local society.

The association already does many efforts for the people. Based on their aim, so

far KWAS focuses more on the people’s:

1. health,

The organization identifies and proceeds the indigenous people of Sorowako

who need medical help to PT Inco so that they are able to have PT Inco

hospital medical card and have the same treatment with the company

employees in the hospital. According to the local people income, some of

them get free medical cards. In addition, for maximum public health service,

PT Inco cooperated with the government of the Regency of East Luwu builds

a clinic plus or a community health center. It has similar facilities with the
 41

hospital such as treatment rooms, emergency unit, laboratories, drug stores,

and the periodic visits of specialists like internists, dentists, and pediatriciants.

The clinic plus has been operated since January 15, 2005.

2. electricity,

The organization strives for the community to get subsidy of electricity from

PT Inco. Nowadays, the community only pay for the maximum cost (biaya

beban).

3. clean water,

The organization strives for the community to get fresh water facility like

what the company housing has. According to Community Development

Program of PT Inco annual report (2001: 12), Sorowako fresh water facility

step one has been completed by the company since 2001. It is still in progress.

4. education,

The organization strives for the community to have the same opportunity to

learn in the company schools (Sorowako Education foundation/YPS),i.e.

Kindergarten, Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High School,

and Technical Academic of Sorowako (ATS). The organization also

encourages the community to get scholarship aid from PT Inco. Furthermore,

KWAS cooperated with the company builds a workshop for Sorowako youths.

5. environment,

The organization asks PT Inco to pay attention on the preservation of

environment. In addition, PT Inco has new techniques of reclamation

program. Since 2003, the mining activity constantly is followed by a

 42

landscape system, erosion management and a plan of intensive and continuous

reclamation program. The company has built a sedimentation resistance dam

in mining areas for liquid waste management. PT Inco cooperated with several

Indonesian and foreign institutions such as LIPI, Hassanudin University of

Makassar, and Windsor University of Canada has been conducting periodical

environmental study. The company has operated dust filter devices called

Electro Static Precipitator (Alat Perangkap Debu) in managing its dust

emission since 2003.

6. labour force,

The organization strives for the community to get an opportunity working for

PT Inco and its contractors. The company has been expected by the

organization to give “priority” because the community are not ready yet with

the company system on recruitment of new employees. It is according to the

local people’s qualifications. It is still in progress.

7. local contractor,

The organization strives for the local contractors to get opportunity working

for the company projects. The company has involved some of the local

contractors in its major projects.

8. land problems.

The organization strives for the community to get back their lost land from PT

Inco. For example, the company has returned some of the community’s land

and has provided ready to build land for the community. It is still in progress.
 43

However, KWAS has not used the donation of the local culture

development program of PT Inco for building a workshop relate to local cultures.

KWAS’ only gives orders to some people to prepare several local cultures, e.g.

meopudi, rowboat, row-katinting, and mappadend that will be presented in public

event when the society wants to hold a festival. At this moment, the activities are

only followed by old generation. In addition, KWAS is expected to have many

efforts to preserve the identity of the society so that the local culture can exist.

The association can teach and train the young generation how to do the activities

in order that the young generation can replace the old generation in preserving

their local cultures by building a workshop.

3.3.2 Sorowako Youth Association (Karang Taruna Tambang)

Sorowako Youth Association is a part of KWAS effort in increasing the

prosperity of the indigenous people of Sorowako especially for their young

generation. The association was founded for creating the work field for the jobless

youths.

The association is not different from KWAS in that they only have the

indigenous people as the members. The members of the association have been

already trained in the Training Center of PT Inco.

PT Inco helps KWAS to build Karang Taruna Tambang workshop and to

give workshop equipments. The donation comes from the education sector of

community development program. PT Inco aid has become a workshop for

 44

repairing the company small vehicles. In addition, the aid has speed up the repair

work that comes not only from the company, but also from the public.

The function of the workshop is very useful for the youths after many

years earning nothing. They used to be only interested in working for the

company or local contractors. Even though they have an opportunity to open

business that is related with local culture, no one has initiative to do it. They chose

to spend their times doing something useless such as consuming alcoholic drink.

Nowadays, the workshop only focuses auto repair shop. The association

becomes a part of the analysis because it is a part of KWAS effort. It is not

impossible that KWAS can also prepare the members of the association to replace

the old generation to preserve the local cultures in the future.

3.3.3 Measa Aroa Association

Generally, there are several youth associations in town. Their organizations are

similar with some clubs in a big city. Most of them are groups of people wits

similar hobbies such as football club, pop – rock music band, basket club, and

chess club. On the contrary, there is a unique organization. The organization is

named Measa Aroa. Compared to the other youth associations that only

concentrate on one subject; Measa Aroa concentrates on many subjects especially

in preserving the local culture. That’s why Measa Aroa becomes a part of the

analysis.

One of the negative effects of the presence of PT Inco in town is that many

young generation have become jobless. The members of Measa Aroa also used to
 45

be jobless. Many of them spent their time only sitting together, smoking, and

consuming alcoholic drink. After many years earning nothing, one day in early

2005, some of them were aware that they have to do something useful for their

future.

Their desire for doing something valuable is very big. Afterward, they

decided to visit someone who is considered able to assist them to make their

dreams come to reality. Finally, after a few long conversations, they made an

agreement to establish a sanggar (a workshop).

The members of the association are the youths who have different

creativities. They have many activities, e.g. practising traditional and modern

dances, theatre, playing music, doing research and development, painting, and

producing earthenware vessels.

One activity that relates to Sorowako local cultural traditions is the

making of earthenware vessels. Measa Aroa has developed the local craft that

almost extincts since 2005. Actually, PT Inco has found the existence of clay soil

since the beginning of their operation in Sorowako. Based on the explanation

given by Boy Aditya Surya, a geologist of PT Inco, the soil clay in Sorowako has

high quality. After that, an initiative came from Sulvi Suardi, an older of the

association, to have someone from Takalar brought in her house for teaching the

members of the association how to make the earthenware vessels and to invite

someone else from Sengkang for giving a training. The association has made

many earthenware vessels with various patterns and sold them in local market. PT
 46

Inco also assists the association in developing the natural resource and providing a

workshop and a fireplace (an electric stove).

Nowadays, Measa Aroa has main role in Sunday Market event. A public

affair officer has trusted them to become the central committee of the event since

September 2005. Without their hard work, the event will not run well. Besides

being responsible for organising the Sunday Market event every month, they also

has presented the performance of theater and dance in Malili (the capital of East

Luwu regency), Palopo, and Makassar.

Consequently, the alteration made by the young generation has made

many people proud of them. The success that has reached until today is supported

from the hard work of all members and their desire to keep improving. The

association is proper to become examples for other youth associations especially

in Sorowako. Besides that, they are always open for a new member.
 CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

4.1 CONCLUSION

The analysis reveals that the presence of PT Inco has exposed Sorowako to the

world since 37 years ago. PT Inco has opened the area that was ever isolated.

Sorowako becomes mining town, which has complete facilities that are similar

with facilities in the city.

The Influence of PT Inco has affected the Sorowakans daily life. The

influence of the company is not all bad, but some of the effects are valuable for

the community.

The Growth of population in Sorowako is uncontrolled due to the

migration of people who want to get better life. The new comers not only come to

look for goof living, but also bring their culture. The indigenous people of

Sorowako adapt and accept the new culture very easily. Slowly but sure, the local

community almost lose their identity as Sorowakans.

However, PT Inco does not passively to see this condition. The company

has assisted the community to preserve their local cultures by conducting local

culture development program that is a part of community development programs

of the company. The local culture development program is socialized by the

public relations of the company.

The existence of a few local organizations is helpful. The local

organizations help the company to socialize the program to the local community.

47
 48

As a result, good cooperation between the company and the local

community are expected to help the local community to become self – reliant

before and after the company’s projects end. Above all, the good cooperation can

realize PT Inco goals, i.e. making and building good and strong partnership

among the employees, local government, and local community.

4.2 SUGGESTION

- To students of LIA School of Foreign Languages Yogyakarta particularly to

students who take public relations as their concentration in the English

Diploma Three program of LIA School of Foreign Languages Yogyakarta: the

knowledge of public relations is not only useful for working in a company but

also we can use the knowledge of public relations to communicate with people

in our environment. Additionally, we can develop our knowledge of public

relations by seeing something interesting around us, that needs to be exposed

as our graduating paper material.

- To readers especially to local community of Sorowako: local cultures are

something valuable that need to preserve as inheritance for the next

generation. The globalisation of culture is not a reason why we should put our

local cultures behind. As identity of the local community, local cultures need

to be preserved along with the global culture.

- To readers who want to take similar topics as graduating paper material, they

can use and compare this data for upgrading information.

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