Challenging the Conscience of Local State-Owned Enterprises, Why PT BPE Blora Needs a ‘Social Audit Report’ for the Ledok Old Wells
BLORA – The crude oil industry in the Ledok field, Sambong District, is far more than a technical matter of extracting "black gold" from the earth. Behind the rhythmic thumping of traditional beam pumps lies a profound social responsibility. Historically, the success of the local state-owned enterprise, PT Blora Patra Energi (BPE), has been measured primarily by lifting figures and dividends for the Blora Regency Government. It is time to introduce the Social Audit Report (SAR) instrument to answer one critical question, To what extent does the wealth of Sambong’s soil return to those who need it most—the elderly, the disabled, and those suffering from chronic illnesses?
Beyond Conventional Financial Auditing
While a standard financial audit performed by public accountants ensures that "no money is missing," a Social Audit Report (SAR) ensures that "no social impact is lost." For PT BPE, which has committed to allocating 2.5% of its net profit to CSR, an SAR is no longer optional. Without a social audit, these hundreds of millions of rupiah risk being trapped in the "black hole" of ceremonial proposals that lack sustainability and fail to address root causes.
Why Sambong Must Be the Priority
Logically and ethically, Sambong District is the frontline impacted area. The "Wellhead Principle" (Origin of Resource) demands a balance of benefits. Even with conservative profit projections—accounting for technical and permit-related downtimes in 2025—the CSR portion for Sambong must be clearly segregated and prioritized.
Data on People with Social Welfare Problems (PPKS) from the Ministry of Social Affairs in the Sambong area must serve as the primary baseline. "The synergy between the Ministry's DTKS (Integrated Social Welfare Data) and BPE’s CSR funds is the key. No elderly person living in the shadow of the Ledok oil rigs should struggle to afford chronic medication or daily nutrition," says Mas Heri, a community empowerment practitioner.
A Message to the Shareholders, The Regent of Blora
The Regent of Blora, as the representative of the Regency Government—the majority shareholder—holds the political power to mandate the implementation of SAR. This move would be a powerful leadership legacy, championing the rights of the marginalized. An SAR will prove that a local state-owned enterprise can do more than contribute to regional revenue (PAD); it can be the government’s right hand in eradicating extreme poverty within mining operational zones.
Proposed Social Audit Report (SAR) Framework
Vulnerability Mapping: Identifying elderly and disabled residents within a 5-10 km radius of the Ledok wells.
Tracking the Cents: Auditing every rupiah of the 2.5% net profit allocation; distinguishing between funds spent on medical aid versus funds spent on ceremonial banners.
Community Feedback Loop: Providing a platform for Sambong residents to grade BPE’s social performance at the end of each fiscal year.