PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia Supports the Preservation of the Roban Sea Offering Tradition, Strengthening Harmony with Coastal Communities

Bhimasena Power, Batang Power Plant – PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI) has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering harmonious relationships with local communities by supporting the annual Roban Barat Sea Offering (Sedekah Laut) tradition, organized by the residents of Kedungsegog Village, Tulis District, Batang Regency, at the Roban Barat Fish Auction Center (TPI) on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Held annually during the month of Legeno in the Javanese calendar, the Sea Offering tradition is an expression of gratitude by the local fishing community to Almighty God for the abundant harvest from the sea, their livelihoods, and the safety they have enjoyed throughout the year. Beyond preserving a cherished cultural heritage, the event serves as an important occasion to strengthen community bonds, reinforce social solidarity, and preserve local wisdom that has been passed down through generations.

The celebration began with a traditional wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance in the afternoon, followed by a communal thanksgiving ceremony (selamatan sedekah bumi) and the symbolic larung sesaji ritual, in which ceremonial offerings are cast into the sea as an expression of gratitude from the fishing community. The event concluded with an all-night wayang kulit performance by Ki Aditya Sabdo Anindhito, S.Sn., from Doro District, Pekalongan Regency.

Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, BPI supported the event as part of the company's commitment to growing together with the community while preserving local cultural heritage.

Event Committee Chairperson Eni Setiono expressed appreciation for the longstanding collaboration with BPI.

"We live and earn our livelihoods in Roban Barat Hamlet, Kedungsegog Village, which is located across from Roban Timur and separated only by the Roban River. Most residents here depend on the sea for their income. Thankfully, we are still able to carry out our fishing activities, and every year the Sea Offering tradition serves as our expression of gratitude for the blessings and safety granted by Allah SWT. We hope the strong relationship among the community, the government, and PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia will continue through open communication and mutually beneficial collaboration for the progress and prosperity of our coastal communities."

Kedungsegog Village Head Rusbad also acknowledged BPI's consistent support for the community.

"On behalf of the village government, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia for its support in organizing the Sea Offering tradition in our village. Alhamdulillah, this annual event continues to be celebrated enthusiastically and provides meaningful benefits to our community. BPI's support has been greatly appreciated by our residents, enabling us to preserve the Sea Offering tradition as a symbol of gratitude while strengthening community solidarity."

Echoing these sentiments, Teguh Tarmudjo, Chairman of the Batang Regency Chapter of the Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI), emphasized the significance of the tradition for the local fishing community.

"Today we have carried out the Sea Offering ceremony for the fishermen of Roban Barat as an expression of gratitude for a year of fishing activities, symbolized through the larung sesaji ritual. We pray that in the years ahead, our fishermen will continue to be blessed with safety by Almighty God and abundant catches. We also extend our gratitude to all parties who have supported this event, including PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, which has consistently demonstrated its care and support for our fishing communities."

General Manager of Stakeholder Relations of PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, Aryamir H. Sulasmoro, stated that the company's participation in supporting the Sea Offering tradition reflects BPI's commitment to growing alongside the community and maintaining harmonious relationships with the communities surrounding the Batang Power Plant.

"For PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, the company's success is measured not only by the reliability of our power plant operations but also by the strength of the relationships and trust we build with the community. The Sea Offering tradition is a cultural heritage rich in the values of gratitude, mutual cooperation, and togetherness. We are therefore proud to contribute to preserving this meaningful tradition."

He added that the company will continue strengthening collaboration with local communities through various CSR programs focusing on community empowerment, environmental conservation, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.

"We believe that the sustainability of our company goes hand in hand with the well-being of the communities around us. Therefore, we remain committed to delivering programs that create tangible benefits while strengthening harmonious relationships with the community. We hope the Sea Offering tradition will continue to serve as a symbol of unity among coastal communities, bringing safety to fishermen and prosperity and blessings to all people of Batang Regency." (**)