100 Years of Eka Tjipta Widjaja: Relentlessly Creating and Inventing

Do you consider yourself as a tough individual? Can you accept failure and learn to be better for more challenges to come? Keep thinking positively, believing in yourself for a better tomorrow? Then you have a relentless spirit – never give up and keep moving!

Speaking of relentless spirit, let’s get to know briefly about Sinar Mas founding father, Eka Tjipta Widjaja.

More than just a life philosophy, Relentless Spirit is adapted as the theme throughout 2022 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja. Fueled by his passion, Sinar Mas has now become a brand of a company moving through seven business pillars: Pulp and Paper, Agribusiness and Food, Financial Services, Developers and Real estate, Telecommunications, Energy and Infrastructure, and Healthcare.

Coinciding with the establishment of Sinar Mas, the series to commemorate Eka Tjipta Widjaja’s 100th Anniversary was officially commenced on October 3, 2022. All members from Sinar Mas’ business pillars, including Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas joined hands to prepare various activities and installations for this celebration.

Booth Installations

The series of activities to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja began with a display booth in collaboration with DusDukDuk which was held in the lobby of Sinar Mas Land Plaza, Thamrin from October 3-14, 2022. The interesting part of this booth was the material used for its production, which originated from 100% cardboard produced by PT Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk (IKPP) – Serang Mills, a business unit of APP Sinar Mas. Sheet after sheet of this cardboard has been forged to be sturdy, demonstrating the breadth of the paper material – not only as a packaging, but also as a craft.

The outdoor booth was decorated with bright colors and equipped with a bicycle frame, reflecting the early efforts of the founder of Sinar Mas. The logos of Sinar Mas’ business pillars were also displayed on this outdoor booth.

Just as fascinating, the indoor booth had enlivened the building with its storytelling of Sinar Mas' business expansion timeline. During the commemoration of Eka Tjipta Widjaja’s 100th anniversary, this booth was open for passersby to participate in activities for a chance to win attractive prizes, such as the wheel of fortune containing the founder's advice and finding the hidden silhouette of the founder.

The Pinnacle: Commemoration Event

The culmination of the series to commemorate Eka Tjipta Widjaja’s 100th Anniversary was brought through activities and shows reflecting the journey and relentless spirit of Eka Tjipta Widjaja's, which was held in the lobby of Sinar Mas Land Plaza, Thamrin and live streamed through Sinar Mas' official YouTube account on October 7.

In this opportunity, Suherman, a wood craftsman from Cipta Handicraft Innovation Product (CHIP), participated in the ceremony to give a miniature bicycle to Franky Oesman Widjaja, Sinar Mas Board Member. Initiated in 2016, CHIP is a part of the Desa Makmur Peduli Api (DMPA) program of Indah Kiat Serang Mill, APP Sinar Mas' business unit. Through continuous assistance and training, Suherman and other CHIP craftsmen experienced a rapid growth in their business. Started as ordinary carpenters, CHIP has now enjoyed an increase in profits of up to 5x per month and is currently entering the export market.

Tjipta UMKM Fair 3.0

Sinar Mas continues to strive to develop Indonesian MSMEs to level up. The 100th Anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja would not be complete without the MSME product exhibition, Tjipta UMKM Fair 3.0, which is back in the Sinar Mas Land Plaza area on October 6-7, 2022. Numerous MSMEs assisted through APP Sinar Mas’ DMPA program participated in this event, showcasing a variety of food, beverages, and handicrafts.

Economic Discussion

Following the predictions from expert economists regarding world financial conditions, we should be ready to face hardships throughout 2023. In preparation for these forecast, Sinar Mas held an online Dialogue Forum with the theme: Economic Outlook 2023 - Economic Growth Amid Global Inflation on October 17, 2022. This webinar became the closing from the series of commemoration of Eka Tjipta Widjaja’s 100th anniversary. The webinar was opened by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto and Sinar Mas Board Member Franky Oesman Widjaja.

Social Activities for the Community

The 100th Anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja also focuses on giving back to communities through various social activities. Collaborating with various Sinar Mas business pillars, PT Wirakarya Sakti (WKS) and PT Lontar Papyrus Pulp & Paper Industry (LPPPI) as APP Sinar Mas’ business units participated in a series of CSR activities to support the Sinar Mas Jambi Association in commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja. The Sinar Mas Jambi Association conducted eye examinations and provided free glasses to students and teachers at SDN 57 Tangkit Village, Jambi Province as well as carried out dental awareness and check-ups for Sariputra Kindergarten children, Jambi City, Jambi Province on September 26, 2022.

Throughout the series of the 100th anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja which has been running from early 2022, APP Sinar Mas through its various business units also participated in blood donation activities in collaboration with the Tzu Chi Foundation Sinar Mas Branch and the Indonesian Red Cross.

Have you participated in the series of 100th Anniversary of Eka Tjipta Widjaja? How many events did you take part in? Let's live with a relentless spirit!