The Luwu Regency Government, together with PT Masmindo Dwi Area (MDA), has reinforced the role of the MATAPPA Village Forum (FORDES MATAPPA) as a platform for community aspirations across the company's operational area. This commitment was marked by the inauguration of the FORDES MATAPPA Executive Board, accompanied by the symbolic presentation of official vests, representing the strengthened role of FORDES in fostering communication, dialogue, and collaboration among communities, the government, and the private sector.

The event, titled "Strengthening FORDES MATAPPA and the Village Stewardship Program: Synergy among Communities, the Luwu Regency Government, FORDES MATAPPA, and MDA," was attended by the Vice Regent of Luwu, representing the Regent of Luwu, the Chair of the Luwu Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), the Chief of the Luwu Police, members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), the Chair of the Luwu Regency Investment Acceleration Working Group (Pokja), village heads, community leaders, FORDES MATAPPA Executive Board members, as well as MDA Director Erlangga Gaffar and the company's management team.

The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Luwu Regency Government and MDA to promote a village development approach that begins with listening to community aspirations. Through FORDES MATAPPA, community needs are identified, discussed through deliberation, and translated into tangible initiatives under the Village Stewardship Program.

In a separate statement, Luwu Regent H. Patahudding, S.Ag., encouraged communities to make FORDES MATAPPA their primary platform for voicing aspirations.

"I encourage all communities within MDA's operational area to utilize FORDES MATAPPA as a platform for expressing aspirations and as a forum for deliberation to address the various needs and challenges faced by our communities. Through dialogue and collaboration, we can create solutions that benefit the people while supporting regional development," said Patahudding.

According to Patahudding, the Luwu Regency Government considers FORDES MATAPPA an essential mechanism for strengthening relationships among communities, the government, and the company. Through an open dialogue platform, development and investment are expected to progress in harmony with community needs while reinforcing village stability as the foundation of regional development.

In his remarks, Sofyan Thamrin, Chair of the Luwu Regency Investment Acceleration Working Group (Pokja), emphasized that FORDES MATAPPA Executive Board members carry a significant responsibility as representatives of their respective villages.

"Serving as a FORDES MATAPPA Executive Board member is a responsibility entrusted by the community. It is a responsibility to listen to, gather, and objectively advocate for the aspirations of the people. Therefore, I hope every Executive Board member will honor the trust placed in them by serving as an effective bridge of communication between the community, the government, and MDA," he said.

Sofyan added that this responsibility must be demonstrated by ensuring that every community aspiration is followed through and incorporated into the collective deliberation process. In this way, community feedback does not remain merely as input but is translated into programs that genuinely address local needs through the Village Stewardship Program.

MDA Director Erlangga Gaffar stated that, from the outset, the company chose to build the Village Stewardship Program by first listening to community aspirations.

"We believe that the best programs are not those designed solely by the company, but those that emerge from the community's own needs. That is why we began by listening," he said.

According to Erlangga, FORDES MATAPPA serves as the foundation of the Village Stewardship Program. Through this forum, community aspirations are translated into three strategic pillars: Village Stability, Village Future, and Village Safety. This ensures that every initiative implemented by the company is rooted in the genuine needs of communities within its operational area.

The Chair of the Luwu Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) welcomed the strengthening of FORDES MATAPPA as a platform for community participation in regional development. He noted that development becomes more effective when communities are provided with an open forum to express their aspirations while actively participating in overseeing development programs.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Luwu Police expressed hope that FORDES MATAPPA would continue to serve as a dialogue platform capable of strengthening the resolution of community issues through deliberation. According to him, stronger communication among communities, the government, and the company will contribute to greater regional stability and social harmony.

Through FORDES MATAPPA, community aspirations have become the starting point for various initiatives under the Village Stewardship Program. These include the Village Future Pillar through the MATAPPA Academy, the Village Safety Pillar through the establishment of Disaster Resilient Villages (DESTANA), and the Village Stability Pillar, which focuses on strengthening communication and fostering harmonious relationships among communities, the government, and the company. This approach reflects a shared commitment that sustainable development must be built upon dialogue, collaboration, and the genuine needs of the community.