Latest news with #Medan
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Historic Slim River Toll Plaza Transformed Into Agrobazaar Hub
TANJONG MALIM, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The historic site of the old Slim River toll plaza has been given a new lease of life as Medan Agrobazaar Tol Lama, aimed at becoming a key collection and marketing hub for agricultural produce from the Muallim district and surrounding areas. Since it began operating in February, the agrobazaar has recorded sales worth RM25,700, driven by a variety of fresh produce and agro-based food products sold at the site. Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the location now hosts four local entrepreneurs who sell various products daily. 'We want to make this a central collection hub for agricultural produce from Muallim — whether from Batang Padang or Hulu Bernam — to be marketed to the north and south of the country,' he said at a press conference after officially launching Medan Agrobazaar Tol Lama in Slim River here today. Its main products include fresh fruits, young coconuts, fruit juices and a variety of agri-based food industry products (IMAT) produced by local entrepreneurs. Also present were Behrang state assemblyman Salina Samsudin, FAMA director-general Abd Rashid Bahri and Muallim District Officer Mohd Sabli Bakri. Aminuddin said the agrobazaar has also become the permanent sales point for Rebung MADANI — fresh bamboo shoots harvested by local villagers and Orang Asli, a product now closely associated with Slim River. Since its introduction, 11,493 jars of bamboo shoots have been marketed under the "Produk Tol Lama Slim River" brand, which was recently introduced internationally at the Malaysia Fest Expo in Singapore. 'We brought 200 jars and they were sold out, which means there's demand not only locally but also from Singapore. We hope this centre becomes a key distribution hub, taking advantage of its strategic location along the country's main route,' he said.
Zawya
31-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Asian Agri Hosts "Healthy and Smart Together" Initiative with Community Partners in Medan to Enhance Health and Literacy Awareness
Asia Press Release SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 31 July 2025 - Asian Agri, in collaboration with Tanoto Foundation, the Medan City Health Office, the Medan City Library and Archives Office and Puskesmas Belawan, hosted a "Healthy and Smart Together" event at Thamrin Plaza in Medan and Kong Tek Cun Ong Temple (KTCOT) in Belawan, North Sumatra earlier this year. This initiative aims to enhance the community's health and literacy awareness to improve their quality of life. The two-day event at Thamrin Plaza and KTCOT attracted over 500 participants and offered a variety of services and activities, including free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings as well as educational programmes on the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The event at Thamrin Plaza further included an affordable premium cooking oil bazaar. Putu Grhyate Yonata Aksa, Manager of Sustainability Operations and CSR at Asian Agri, a member of the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, highlighted the company's commitment to inclusive growth and said: "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting health and increasing public literacy. Through collaborations like these, we hope to continue making a positive impact on the lives of Medan's residents." Felly Ardan, Project Management Unit Coordinator for Tanoto Foundation, explained that the objective of the events was to raise public awareness about the importance of health prevention and early detection. "Through free services like blood pressure and blood sugar checks, along with health education, the community can more easily monitor their health," Felly said. "This programme not only promotes healthy habits but also strengthens the community's role in creating a healthier, higher-quality environment." Meanwhile, Rosmina Salim, Regional Lead at Tanoto Foundation in North Sumatra, emphasised that the collaboration reflects the commitment to improving people's quality of life. "The collaboration between Asian Agri, Tanoto Foundation, Belawan Health Centre and the Medan City Library and Archives Service highlights our dedication to improving the community's well-being in health and literacy," Rosmina said. "By providing access to health checks and educational books, we hope the community will better understand the importance of early disease prevention and develop a stronger interest in reading." In partnership with the Medan City Library and Archives Office, Tanoto Foundation also provided a mobile library service, offering educational books and reading materials to help broaden public knowledge. Pocut Fatimah Fitri, MARS, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at Medan City Health Service, expressed strong support for the event, said: "Through free health check-ups and education, we aim to encourage proactive health management. The collaboration between Asian Agri, Tanoto Foundation and the Medan City Library and Archives Service demonstrates how synergy among various sectors can create a broad, positive impact." Laksamana Putra Siregar, Head of the Medan City Library and Archives Service, also emphasised the importance of literacy as a tool for improving the quality of life. "Literacy is not only about reading skills, but also about increasing knowledge for a better life. We are proud to support this initiative, which will help expand access to educational resources and foster a culture of learning among the citizens of Medan," Laskamana commented. Head of Belawan Health Centre Mohd Mukhlis, added: "Collaboration with various parties, including the Medan City Library and Archives Service, strengthens our efforts in providing holistic services, because health and education are two interrelated aspects." Hashtag: #RGE #AsianAgri #TanotoFoundation #CSR #Indonesia #Inclusivegrowth #PositiveImpact The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Asian Agri Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia's foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 200,000 people. As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government's Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth. Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability, while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri's mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Asian Agri's plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are fully Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production. RGE Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. 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Malay Mail
31-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Asian Agri Hosts "Healthy and Smart Together" Initiative with Community Partners in Medan to Enhance Health and Literacy Awareness
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 31 July 2025 - Asian Agri, in collaboration with Tanoto Foundation, the Medan City Health Office, the Medan City Library and Archives Office and Puskesmas Belawan, hosted a "Healthy and Smart Together" event at Thamrin Plaza in Medan and Kong Tek Cun Ong Temple (KTCOT) in Belawan, North Sumatra earlier this year. This initiative aims to enhance the community's health and literacy awareness to improve their quality of two-day event at Thamrin Plaza and KTCOT attracted over 500 participants and offered a variety of services and activities, including free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings as well as educational programmes on the prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The event at Thamrin Plaza further included an affordable premium cooking oil Grhyate Yonata Aksa, Manager of Sustainability Operations and CSR at Asian Agri, a member of the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, highlighted the company's commitment to inclusive growth and said: "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting health and increasing public literacy. Through collaborations like these, we hope to continue making a positive impact on the lives of Medan's residents."Felly Ardan, Project Management Unit Coordinator for Tanoto Foundation, explained that the objective of the events was to raise public awareness about the importance of health prevention and early detection."Through free services like blood pressure and blood sugar checks, along with health education, the community can more easily monitor their health," Felly said. "This programme not only promotes healthy habits but also strengthens the community's role in creating a healthier, higher-quality environment."Meanwhile, Rosmina Salim, Regional Lead at Tanoto Foundation in North Sumatra, emphasised that the collaboration reflects the commitment to improving people's quality of life."The collaboration between Asian Agri, Tanoto Foundation, Belawan Health Centre and the Medan City Library and Archives Service highlights our dedication to improving the community's well-being in health and literacy," Rosmina said. "By providing access to health checks and educational books, we hope the community will better understand the importance of early disease prevention and develop a stronger interest in reading."In partnership with the Medan City Library and Archives Office, Tanoto Foundation also provided a mobile library service, offering educational books and reading materials to help broaden public Fatimah Fitri, MARS, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at Medan City Health Service, expressed strong support for the event, said: "Through free health check-ups and education, we aim to encourage proactive health management. The collaboration between Asian Agri, Tanoto Foundation and the Medan City Library and Archives Service demonstrates how synergy among various sectors can create a broad, positive impact."Laksamana Putra Siregar, Head of the Medan City Library and Archives Service, also emphasised the importance of literacy as a tool for improving the quality of life. "Literacy is not only about reading skills, but also about increasing knowledge for a better life. We are proud to support this initiative, which will help expand access to educational resources and foster a culture of learning among the citizens of Medan," Laskamana of Belawan Health Centre Mohd Mukhlis, added: "Collaboration with various parties, including the Medan City Library and Archives Service, strengthens our efforts in providing holistic services, because health and education are two interrelated aspects."Hashtag: #RGE #AsianAgri #TanotoFoundation #CSR #Indonesia #Inclusivegrowth #PositiveImpact The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Asian Agri Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia's foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 200,000 people. As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government's Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth. Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability, while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri's mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Asian Agri's plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are fully Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production.
Al Jazeera
18-07-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Indonesia has 44 million youths. It's struggling to get them jobs
Medan, Indonesia – After graduating from university with a law degree two years ago, Andreas Hutapea assumed he would not have much difficulty finding a stable career. In reality, Hutapea found himself facing one rejection after another. Hutapea first failed to make it through Indonesia's notoriously difficult civil service exams, which lead to a job for only about 3 percent of applicants, and was similarly unsuccessful in his bid to become a trainee prosecutor. Before law school, Hutapea had dreamed of joining the army, but he could not meet the height requirement. Eventually, with his money running out, Hutapea left the student accommodation he was renting to move back in with his parents, who run a simple shop selling oil, eggs, rice and other groceries. Hutapea has been working at his parents' shop, in a town on the outskirts of Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, ever since. 'I open the shop for them in the morning, sit there throughout the day serving customers and then help close at night,' Hutapea, who graduated from high school in 2020, told Al Jazeera. 'My parents don't pay me a wage for my work, but I can't blame them for that. They are giving me free food and lodging.' Hutapea is far from alone in his struggles to find stable, well-paying work. Indonesia has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in Asia. About 16 percent of the more than 44 million Indonesians aged 15-24 are out of work, according to government statistics – more than double the youth unemployment rate of neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam. In a survey published by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore in January, young Indonesians expressed far more pessimistic attitudes about the economy and the government than their peers in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Only about 58 percent of Indonesian youth said they were optimistic about the government's economic plans, according to the survey, compared with an average of 75 percent across the six countries. In February, some of this angst spilled onto the streets when university students formed the Indonesia Gelap, or Dark Indonesia, movement to protest government plans to trim spending on public services. Economists point to a range of factors for the high rate of jobless youth in Southeast Asia's largest economy, from rigid labour laws that make hiring difficult to poor wages that fail to attract capable workers. 'Many people choose to be outside the labour market rather than having to work for a salary below expectations,' Adinova Fauri, an economist at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia, in Jakarta, told Al Jazeera. 'Good jobs are also not widely available, so people turn to the informal sector, which has lower productivity and protection.' Indonesia, which is home to more than 280 million people, has long struggled with chronic youth unemployment. While still high compared with the rest of the region, governments have, through the years, made some progress in getting more young people into work – as recently as a decade ago, one-quarter of young Indonesians were estimated to be without a job. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, a retired army general who oversaw crackdowns on the 1998 student protests that precipitated the fall of former President Soeharto, has acknowledged the need to create more jobs, establishing task forces to tackle unemployment and negotiate on trade with United States President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, Prabowo hailed the beginning of 'a new era of mutual benefit' for Indonesia and the US, after Trump announced a deal to lower tariffs on Indonesian goods from 32 to 19 percent. Though older adults are less at risk of being unemployed – Indonesia's overall jobless rate is about 5 percent – much of the work that is available is unstable and poorly compensated. About 56 percent of the Indonesian workforce is employed in the informal sector, according to 2024 figures from the Bureau of Statistics, leaving millions in vulnerable conditions and without social security protections. 'The decline in the open unemployment rate does not necessarily reflect good performance in the labour market,' Deniey Adi Purwanto, a lecturer at the Department of Economics at IPB University in Bogor, told Al Jazeera. 'The quality of jobs and informal employment are still major problems.' But for young people, the mismatch between the number of job seekers and jobs is particularly severe. 'Firstly, graduates of secondary and tertiary education do not always match the needs of the labour market, and there is also a high proportion of informality,' Purwanto said. 'Indonesia has a very large number of young people, so the pressure on the labour market is much higher. 'We also have rapidly increasing levels of secondary and higher education,' he added. 'Many young college graduates avoid informal or low-paid jobs, so they choose to wait for suitable jobs, which leads to unemployment.' Purwanto said there was also a lack of effective vocational training and apprenticeship programmes in Indonesia, compared with neighbours such as Vietnam or Malaysia. 'In Malaysia, for example, there are more industry-university linkage schemes and graduate employability programmes,' he said. Stark regional disparities in Indonesia, which is made up of some 17,000 islands, compound the problem, with young people in remote and rural areas finding it especially difficult to access good jobs. This is particularly true in areas outside the island of Java, which is home to the capital Jakarta and more than half of Indonesia's population. Hutapea experienced this firsthand when he moved back with his parents, who live about two hours out of Medan. Despite having a law degree, Hutapea, who is desperate to no longer work in his parents' shop, has found job opportunities thin on the ground. Hutapea, who also has a side gig setting up sound systems for weddings and parties, recently attended an interview for a job replenishing banknotes in ATMs. But even though he thought the interview went well, he never heard back from the recruiter. For Hutapea, who completed some of his law school modules during the summer holidays so he could graduate a year early, it is hard not to feel like his efforts have not been in vain. 'I didn't want to be a burden to my parents, who were paying all my university fees,' Hutapea said. 'But look at me now.'
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor PBTs urged to ensure orderly MyKiosk placement
SHAH ALAM: All 12 local government authorities (PBTs) in Selangor have been instructed to ensure the placement of MyKiosk stall units is conducted systematically and in suitable locations. State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Ng Suee Lim emphasized the need for safe and strategic placement to benefit both vendors and customers. Ng stated, 'I want all PBTs to monitor and check the areas when placing MyKiosk. Let it be orderly and placed at suitable locations. After three months, if the kiosks are not filled, we can move them to new locations.' The directive follows concerns raised by Dr Afif Bahardin (PN-Taman Medan) regarding the review of MyKiosk placement and deposit payments. A total of 1,028 MyKiosk units have been constructed in Selangor, funded by an allocation of RM20.33 million. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) contributed RM19.5 million, while PBTs covered RM822,211 for site preparation. Each unit costs approximately RM19,785.80, inclusive of structure and location-specific adjustments. MyKiosk is a government initiative designed to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (PMKS) by offering affordable rental rates. The program aims to enhance business competitiveness and improve the socio-economic conditions of local traders.
