Hary Tanoe Inaugurated Coal Port in East Kalimantan

SAMARINDA - CEO of MNC Group Hary Tanoesoedibjo (HT) inaugurated the Coal Port of PT Nuansacipta Coal Investment (NCI) -MNC Infrastruktur Utama (MNCIU).

The 35 hectares port located in Bantuas village, Palaran district, Samarinda, East Kalimantan with a capacity of 100,000 tons of coal per month. The capacity is planned to be increased to 250,000 tons.

HT explained this port will open up employment opportunities in East Kalimantan. Moreover, East Kalimantan in one of the largest coal producer in Indonesia. However, the decline in coal prices caused the termination of employment (PHK) in East Kalimantan.

Based on the records of the Ministry of Labor, the biggest PHK occurred in East Kalimantan, at least 10,721 people were laid off and the coal sector is the largest contributor.

"The existence of this coal port provides employment," said HT after the inscription signing of NCI-MNCIU Coal Port.

He explained that the low prices must be addressed with a breakthrough such as the use of coal to meet its energy needs. In East Kalimantan, there is still a crisis in electricity supply.

Although the region is the largest coal producer, but until now Kalimantan still importing electricity from Malaysia.

"So, the combination between coal mines and its power plant can produce electricity for the community," said HT.

According to him, the optimization of coal can be a solution of high unemployment. "If the power plant from coal can be done here, it will be able to obtain a lot of labor," he said. HT continued, it will also increase the production of coal.

Toyib Abdullah/Gaby Oksavira

Source : www.sindonews.com