GIANYAR (March 26th, 2024) – Eucalyptus oil from Buru Island, Maluku, which is famous for its quality, is now starting to penetrate the international market. This success was achieved after the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) collaborated with Krisna Bali souvenir center to sell Buru eucalyptus oil products, which is an effort to empower the community through Nusantara Economic Hero (PENA) program.

The launch of Buru eucalyptus oil product was witnessed directly by the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini at Krisna Bali souvenir center, Tuesday (26/3).

“Buru eucalyptus oil products come from a very remote area in the Maluku Islands, about a three-hour flight from here. However, their product can be accepted by Ajik Krisna," said Risma with appreciation.

Buru eucalyptus oil is the product of eucalyptus oil craftsmen on Buru Island, Maluku who had graduated from PENA program because their income had increased. The collaboration with Krisna Bali began when in 2023, the Minister visited Namlea, Buru Regency, Maluku to see the process of making eucalyptus oil.

From the visit, it was discovered that people living there had limited resources to sell eucalyptus oil products so that the public did not really know their products. Even though the quality of eucalyptus oil from Buru Island is known to be very good. Therefore, the Minister helped by rebranding the products to be better known.

After being improved in terms of packaging and product standards, Buru eucalyptus oil products were finally accepted and marketed internationally through Krisna Bali, which is the largest souvenir center in Southeast Asia.

During the launch, 335 bottles of Buru eucalyptus oil produced by PENA Beneficiary Families (KPM) were brought to be launched at Krisna Bali souvenir center. Eucalyptus oil was packaged in various sizes: 30 ml, 60 ml and 100 ml.

“As long as I am given the chance to live, I will continue to help society. The marketing of eucalyptus oil is one of our efforts to help the government empower the community," said Gusti Ngurah Anom, founder and owner of Krisna Holding Company, who is more familiarly called Ajik Krisna.

Apart from launching the product, the Minister also gave an award to Ajik as the founder and owner of Krisna Bali souvenir center for his dedication and support in marketing PENA products. Krisna Bali also provided job opportunities for eight people with disabilities to work there.

The Minister also took eight PENA Vocational Friends with hearing and speech disabilities to work at Krisna Bali. In the middle of the launching event, the Minister cried with emotion looking at the phenomenon that there were still many good people who wanted to help and accept people with special needs to work, as Ajik Krisna did.

"They are our students from "Mahatmiya" Center in Bali. We teach them to survive. Now, we hand them over and entrust them to Ajik for their life continuity," said her, followed by a symbolic handover of work uniforms which indicated that they had officially become Krisna employees.

One of the beneficiaries with a hearing disability from "Mahatmiya" Center in Bali named Ni Putu Listya Dewi (20) said she was happy, but also did not expect to be able to work at Krisna. "Thank you, Mrs. Risma, for helping us a lot," she said.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs