The recent groundbreaking of APRIL Group’s (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd) state-of-the-art third paper mill facility was just one of many milestones the company has reached in its journey to benefit the community and country.
Its Indonesian subsidiary PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (RAPP) has been actively involved in community and infrastructure development in its areas of operation. Through many initiatives and programmes, it has created employment opportunities, improved education and improved infrastructure and amenities. These have helped improved living standards and developed the community.
Asphalt road: Paving the way for a better commute in Kuansing
Governor H Sukarmis signs at the handover ceremony for the road asphalting. Image Source: Metro Riau
RAPP has completed the asphalting of five kilometres of roads from Benai to Cerenti. The long-awaited paved roads have been well-received by residents in Talontam, Tebing Tinggi, Banjar Benai and Benai subdistrict. (See news report)
The governor of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Mr Sukarmis said, “In the past, people would close the doors of their homes for fear of the dust from the roads. But now, they can keep them open. We are grateful that RAPP has fulfilled the wishes of our community.”
Mr Sukarmis added that apart from paving the road, RAPP also runs its community development programmes in accordance with the needs of the community. This is in light of the efforts of RAPP in their close engagement with local communities.
Director of RAPP Mulia Nauli attributed the milestone to the continual support from the Kuansing community. He said:
We consider the Kuansing community as family. We grew and developed together.
Grader and Compactor provided by RAPP
12km of roads in Pulau Padang
RAPP is also involved in the paving of 12km of roads in Pulau Padang, connecting 20 villages. Meranti Governor Drs H Irwan MSi has expressed gratitude to RAPP for helping to build the local infrastructure. In addition, RAPP has provided machinery (Grader and Compactor) for road repair and widening. (See news report)
With the paved roads, there are hopes that the local economic activities will flourish, attract more investments and in turn bring greater prosperity to Kuansing and Pulau Padang.
RAPP: People, Planet, Profit
RAPP is guided by its 3P principle of people, planet and profit in its journey as a sustainable and responsible business. It leverages advanced technologies not only to scale operations and bolster APRIL Group’s competitive advantage, but also make significant steps towards being more efficient and environmentally friendly. It has also invested in renewable energy and made commitments to preserving forests of high conservation value. Be it roadworks or conservation, RAPP remains active in plans and programmes from which a wide range of benefits can be derived for the communities, environment and the country.
Paved roads thanks to RAPP
In addition, it has earned a wide range of certifications that include OHSAS 18001: 2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems), ISO 14001: 2004 (Environmental management systems), ISO 9001: 2008 (Quality Management System), Origine et Legalite des Bois (OLB), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Chain of Custody (COC PEFC), the Hong Kong Green Label Certificate, Wood Legality Verification System (SVLK) and more. These are a testament to the high professional standards it holds as it goes about its operations.
As part of the group of companies managed by RGE, APRIL Group’s operations remain driven by RGE Chairman and founder Sukanto Tanoto’s business philosophy of doing what is good for the community, country and company.