The closer partnership between GAPKI and Forwatan is expected to create a more open communication ecosystem, helping ensure palm oil issues are supported by stronger data, deeper context and more accurate information for the public.
PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) and the Agricultural Journalists Forum (Forwatan) are strengthening their relationship and collaboration through an informal gathering aimed at fostering closer communication between the palm oil industry and the media.
The event provided an opportunity to reinforce the partnership that has long existed between GAPKI and agricultural journalists. Beyond building personal connections, the gathering also opened the door for more intensive and continuous dialogue on issues surrounding Indonesia’s palm oil industry.
Also Read: 9th Borneo Forum 2026: GAPKI Highlights Innovation and Productivity as Keys to Future Growth
GAPKI Head of Communications, Bandung Sahari, said the relationship between the industry and the media must continue to be maintained and developed, particularly as the palm oil sector faces increasingly complex challenges.
“We are already like a family. That is why we need to look at these challenges together and face them collectively—not only for the benefit of the palm oil industry, but also for the broader interests of the Indonesian people,” Bandung said during the gathering in Jakarta on Friday, August 14, 2026.
According to him, close engagement between the industry and journalists is increasingly important because much of the information surrounding Indonesia’s palm oil sector remains poorly understood by the public.
Also Read: Dry Season Fire Risk Rises, APHI-GAPKI Urge Palm Oil and Forestry Companies to Act Early
Communication, he said, should not take place only when an issue emerges. Instead, sustained interaction is needed to ensure that information about the industry can be communicated more comprehensively, accurately and with stronger context.
“There are still many things that need to be understood, but the public does not yet know about them. If we have complete data and complete information, supported by intensive interaction, hopefully we can communicate more substantively and create a significant positive impact for society and the country,” Bandung said.
He added that stronger interaction between GAPKI and journalists could also help identify the information needs of various stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.
Also Read: GAPKI Strengthens Indonesia–Russia Vegetable Oil Cooperation Through Strategic Agreement
From Billiards to Strategic Communication
The importance of understanding a situation before taking action was also reflected in the relaxed concept of the gathering, which featured a friendly billiards competition.
Bandung used the game as an analogy for the importance of strategy and precision in communication.
In billiards, he explained, players cannot simply strike the ball without first assessing the situation. They need to understand the position of the balls, calculate angles and consider the surrounding conditions before deciding on the best strategy.
Also Read: GAPKI: Indonesia’s Palm Oil Output Slips in May 2026, but CPO Stocks Rise to 3.04 Million Tons
“To make a shot, you have to analyse the situation. You need to understand the conditions on the right and left, and you need to have a strategy,” he said.
The same principle, Bandung noted, can be applied to communication about the palm oil industry. Before information is delivered to the public, it is important to understand the issue, prepare sufficient data and develop the right communication strategy to ensure that the message reaches its intended audience.
“The message must truly reach its target. That is the philosophy we hope can become the foundation of this gathering,” he said.
Also Read: KUD Sejahtera Inaugurates Palm Oil Mill as Cooperatives Push Into Downstream Industry
Through closer and more open communication, GAPKI hopes to work with journalists in strengthening public understanding of Indonesia’s palm oil industry. The association also said it remains open to coordinating with journalists who require information, data or relevant industry sources.
Meanwhile, Forwatan Chairman Beledug Bantolo welcomed the continued relationship between the organization and GAPKI, noting that the partnership has developed through various activities and interactions, including social initiatives.
He said informal gatherings provide an important opportunity for journalists and palm oil industry stakeholders to build stronger relationships outside formal meetings and official events.
Also Read: Indonesia Pushes Cooperative-Based Palm Oil Downstreaming to Strengthen Smallholders
“The good relationship that we have built must continue to be maintained. We also need to strengthen the sense of familiarity between the GAPKI team and our fellow journalists,” Beledug said.
He expressed hope that similar activities would continue in the future, providing a space for journalists and industry stakeholders to interact more closely and maintain constructive communication.
“We hope this kind of event can continue. Whatever the format, we are ready to come together and build a good relationship between journalists and stakeholders, including GAPKI,” he said.
Also Read: KAI’s CPO Rail Shipments Jump 18% Through July 2026 as B50 Boosts Demand
The friendly billiards competition was won by Samsudin of PalmOilMagazine and Ahmad Mutiul Alim of Jurnas.com.
For GAPKI and Forwatan, strengthening the relationship between the palm oil industry and the media is an important step toward building a more open and constructive communication ecosystem.
Rather than engaging only when controversies or major issues arise, sustained dialogue is expected to build stronger mutual understanding and ensure that information about the palm oil industry is communicated to the public more accurately, substantively and effectively. (P3)
