In many parts of Indonesia, electricity is often seen as a technical matter, measured in megawatts, substations, and transmission lines. In Papua Barat Daya (Southwest Papua) Province, however, development is rarely experienced in such abstract terms. It is felt in schools that can finally operate computers, clinics that can refrigerate medicine, and community spaces where people gather to share stories, faith, and hope. In this context, PT PLN (Persero), Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company, has taken a step that goes beyond infrastructure by supporting the construction of four houses of worship across Papua Barat Daya, underscoring a broader understanding of development as something deeply human and social.
The initiative, carried out through PLN’s Social and Environmental Responsibility Program known locally as TJSL, was formally marked by a symbolic handover event in Sorong in mid-December 2025. While modest in scale compared to large power projects, the program carries significant meaning for local communities. The four houses of worship receiving support represent different faith traditions and locations, reflecting both the diversity and unity that define Papua Barat Daya.
A CSR Program Rooted in Local Realities
The houses of worship supported through this program include Gereja GKI Sion Malaingkedi in Sorong City, Masjid Khoirul Ummah, Gereja Kristus Gembala Agung in Raja Ampat, and a religious education facility under the Quba Education Foundation. Each of these institutions serves as more than a place of prayer. In Papua Barat Daya, churches and mosques often function as centers of learning, community meetings, social assistance, and cultural continuity. Supporting their development therefore means strengthening the social backbone of the region.
Deni Muhammad Abrar, Manager of PLN UP3 Sorong, emphasized that the program was designed to respond directly to community needs. He explained that PLN does not view itself solely as a provider of electricity but as a partner in regional development. According to Deni, the TJSL program reflects PLN’s commitment to ensuring that its presence in Papua is felt not only through power lines but also through tangible contributions to social life.
Faith as a Pillar of Social Cohesion
In Papua Barat Daya, faith plays a central role in daily life. Religious institutions are often among the most trusted and enduring structures within society, particularly in areas where government services are still developing. For many communities, churches and mosques serve as safe spaces where people can gather, resolve disputes, receive moral guidance, and organize mutual aid.
The support provided by PLN therefore carries symbolic weight. By assisting the construction and improvement of houses of worship from different religious backgrounds, the company sends a clear message about inclusivity and respect for diversity. In a region where Christians and Muslims live side by side, such gestures reinforce interfaith harmony and mutual understanding.
Voices of Gratitude from the Community
The impact of the program is perhaps best understood through the voices of those directly involved. Representatives of Masjid Khoirul Ummah expressed deep appreciation for the assistance, noting the high cost of construction materials and logistical challenges in Papua Barat Daya. Transporting cement, steel, and other building supplies across islands and remote areas often requires significant financial resources, placing a heavy burden on local congregations.
Eko Wicaksono, representing the mosque’s management, stated that the support from PLN significantly eased the community’s efforts. He explained that building and maintaining a proper place of worship requires not only commitment but also substantial funding, something that many congregations struggle to secure. For the community, PLN’s contribution was not merely financial help but a sign that their efforts were seen and valued.
Similar sentiments were echoed by church representatives in Sorong and Raja Ampat, where congregations rely heavily on collective donations from members who often face economic limitations. For these communities, the assistance provides momentum and renewed confidence to continue building facilities that serve both spiritual and social needs.
CSR Beyond Charity
PLN’s TJSL program in Papua Barat Daya reflects a broader shift in how state-owned enterprises approach corporate social responsibility. Rather than treating CSR as a one-time charitable act, PLN positions it as part of a long-term partnership with society. The company’s CSR initiatives across Indonesia increasingly focus on sustainability, empowerment, and alignment with local development priorities.
In Papua, where infrastructure development often intersects with cultural sensitivity, this approach becomes especially important. By engaging directly with local institutions and responding to specific community requests, PLN demonstrates an awareness that development cannot be imposed uniformly across regions. Instead, it must be adapted to local conditions and values.
Papua Barat Daya’s Development Challenges
Papua Barat Daya, Indonesia’s newest province, continues to face structural challenges common to eastern Indonesia. Geographic fragmentation, limited transportation infrastructure, and high logistics costs affect almost every aspect of life, from education to healthcare and economic activity. While electrification has expanded significantly in recent years, social infrastructure has not always kept pace.
In this context, houses of worship often fill gaps left by limited public facilities. They host educational programs, provide shelter during emergencies, and act as coordination centers during community events. Strengthening these institutions therefore contributes indirectly to resilience and social stability, which are essential for long-term development.
Interfaith Harmony as a Development Asset
One of the most notable aspects of PLN’s program is its inclusive approach. By supporting both Christian and Muslim institutions, PLN reinforces a culture of mutual respect that is deeply rooted in Papuan society. In a country as diverse as Indonesia, such gestures carry significance beyond their immediate beneficiaries.
Community leaders have noted that visible support for multiple faith groups helps prevent feelings of exclusion and fosters a shared sense of belonging. In Papua Barat Daya, where communities often rely on cooperation to overcome logistical and economic challenges, interfaith harmony is not merely a social ideal but a practical necessity.
PLN’s Broader Role in Papua
While the CSR program focuses on houses of worship, it complements PLN’s broader mission in Papua, which includes expanding electricity access, improving service reliability, and supporting economic growth. Reliable electricity enables small businesses to operate, schools to extend learning hours, and health facilities to improve service quality.
PLN officials have repeatedly emphasized that social development and energy infrastructure must advance together. Electricity alone cannot transform a region without strong social institutions to support education, health, and community life. Conversely, social institutions benefit greatly from a stable power supply, enabling them to operate more effectively and inclusively.
A Human-Centered Approach to Development
What distinguishes this CSR initiative is its emphasis on human connection. The handover ceremony in Sorong was not a grand corporate event but a modest gathering marked by conversation, prayer, and expressions of gratitude. This atmosphere reflected the reality of Papua Barat Daya, where relationships matter deeply and trust is built through presence rather than formality.
For many attendees, the event symbolized a form of recognition. It acknowledged that development is not only about large projects but also about supporting the spaces where people find meaning, comfort, and solidarity. In this sense, PLN’s program aligns with a more holistic understanding of progress, one that values social and spiritual well-being alongside economic indicators.
Looking Toward the Future
As the construction of the four houses of worship continues, their impact will extend beyond physical structures. They will host weddings, funerals, educational programs, and community discussions. They will serve as places where children learn values, elders share wisdom, and communities navigate change together.
For PLN, the initiative reinforces its identity as a national company with a local heart. By investing in social infrastructure, particularly in regions like Papua Barat Daya, PLN demonstrates that state-owned enterprises can play a meaningful role in shaping inclusive development.
Conclusion
The support for four houses of worship in Papua Barat Daya may not dramatically alter development statistics, but its significance lies in its human impact. It strengthens institutions that hold communities together and affirms the importance of faith, diversity, and mutual respect in regional development.
Through its CSR program, PLN shows that electricity is only one part of its contribution to the nation. By standing alongside communities as they build spaces of worship and togetherness, the company helps power something equally vital: the social and spiritual foundations upon which sustainable development depends.