Yogyakarta, August 26, 2025 – Indonesia, a nation blessed with rich seas and coastlines, is now facing a serious threat from the waste crisis and ecosystem degradation. Each year, the country generates approximately 69.9 million tons of waste (KLHK, 2023), yet only 9–10% of it is properly managed. The rest is burned, buried, or ends up polluting rivers and oceans. This pollution not only harms human health but also threatens marine life—especially sea turtles, six out of seven of the world’s species of which live in Indonesian waters. Many turtles die from ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in waste, resulting in injuries and declining reproductive rates.

In response to this challenge, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability through the Telkom Connect-in: Penyu-lamat 2025 program. The event was successfully held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Pelangi Beach, Bantul, Yogyakarta, involving 50 employee volunteers from Telkom Group across Indonesia.

In its implementation, Telkom collaborated with the Social Event POISE of the Faculty of Engineering at Gadjah Mada University and the IEEE Indonesia chapter. The series of activities included a beach clean-up that collected 150 kg of plastic waste, waste management training with ISI Yogyakarta and Telkom University, photography and ecotourism workshops with the Telkom Photography Community, the planting of 150 sea pandan trees, and the release of 100 turtle hatchlings as a symbol of sustainable coastal conservation.

Employee participation in this initiative was not merely a social activity but also part of Telkom’s continuously strengthened employee volunteering culture. By directly engaging on-site, volunteers experienced the real impact of their contributions to the environment while fostering collective awareness. Various global studies highlight that corporate volunteering programs not only benefit society and nature but also enhance teamwork, leadership, and employee pride in their company. For Telkom, these values align with its mission to build sustainability through innovation and collaboration.

Venny, a Telkom Group employee from Jakarta who joined as one of the volunteers, shared: “Joining Penyu-lamat 2025 was an extraordinary experience. Usually, I’m busy with my daily work, but this time I was able to go directly to the field—cleaning the beach, planting sea pandan, and releasing hatchlings into the ocean. It felt like giving something back that we’ve borrowed from nature. This program also made us, as employees, more united and aware that even the smallest actions can make a big difference for sustainability.”

Pelangi Beach was chosen as the location because it is one of the nesting sites for four turtle species, especially the olive ridley turtle, which often lays eggs between April and October. According to local conservationists, each olive ridley nest may contain 80–140 eggs, and the number of nests continues to increase each year. This is what drove Telkom to fully support conservation efforts at Pelangi Beach, Bantul.

Ir. Fenti Yusdayati, Assistant for Economy and Development of Bantul Regency, who attended on behalf of the Regent of Bantul, stated: “We extend our appreciation and gratitude to Telkom Indonesia and all parties involved in organizing Penyu-lamat. Today’s event is a real example of cross-sector collaboration between students, academics, companies, and the government for environmental conservation.”

Hery Susanto, Senior General Manager of Social Responsibility at Telkom, emphasized:
“Through the TJSL program, particularly the employee volunteering initiative, we want Telkom employees to not only be present as workers but also as part of the solution to environmental and social challenges. Activities such as Penyu-lamat provide valuable experiences for volunteers to directly feel the importance of conservation, while also fostering empathy and leadership. Ultimately, we believe that strong companies are built from employees who care and are actively involved in creating a better society and environment.”

Through Telkom Connect-in: Penyu-lamat 2025, Telkom Indonesia proves that its commitment to the environment is not just rhetoric but real action. As part of its Environmental and Social Responsibility (ESR) Program, this initiative also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land). By engaging employees, communities, academics, and local governments, Telkom delivers a targeted, impactful, and sustainable program for the preservation of coastal ecosystems and the well-being of Indonesian society.