Our Shared Values
Our Business
Our Foundations
Our Achievements
Our Governance
Conservation Management & Monitoring
Climate Change
Community Engagement
Partnerships & Memberships
Human Rights & Labour
Responsible Sourcing
Responsible Production
Certifications
Sustainability Report
Palm-based Food Products
Other Food Products
Oleochemicals
Bioenergy
Food & Nutrition Innovation
Press Releases
Stories
Meet Our Experts
In the News
Publication
Shareholder Information
Disclosure of Information
Financial Information
Prospective Suppliers
Support for Palm Suppliers
FAQ
Existing Non-Palm Suppliers
Graduates & Professionals
Scholarships
Internships
Change is in the air in Siak and Pelalawan. As palm oil suppliers here begin to rethink how they operate, it’s clear that this isn’t just solely about farming – it’s about people, partnerships, and the promise of a better future.
Suppliers like Syamsul Bahari have been on the frontlines of this transformation, with the support of GAR. His journey with the Siak Pelalawan Landscape Programme (SPLP) reflects a larger movement towards more responsible farming, proving that with the right support, even the most challenging transformations are possible.
Confronting the struggles
Syamsul’s story begun long before the changes in Siak and Pelalawan. As the Head of Administration at PT Karya Panen Terus, a GAR supplier in the region, he was responsible for overseeing a palm oil processing unit that was struggling to keep up with industry demands.
“When I started in July 2022, we were facing inefficiencies that needed to be fixed if we were going to survive, much less thrive. We needed to control our costs carefully and place our people in the right roles more efficiently. But that’s easy to say, hard to do.”
Managing a team of 100 people, Syamsul felt a deep responsibility – not just to the company, but to the community. More than just keeping the business afloat, it was about building a stable future for the people who relied on it.
The reality on the ground was complex. The team lacked clear metrics for key processes like receiving, processing, and delivering products to GAR. “We didn’t have a clear idea of what GAR, and the wider market, expected from us, much less how to implement changes in our system to meet those expectations,” Syamsul explains. “Without proper metrics or a standard operating procedure for processing and delivering our products, it was like working in the dark.”
Stepping up the game
The turning point for Syamsul and his team came in August 2024, when they were introduced to GAR’s Supplier Transformation programme through the SMART Sustainable Palm Oil Training (SMART SPOT). “The training opened my eyes of what had to be done to improve our operations,” Syamsul says.
SMART SPOT, organised by GAR, provided hands-on training to address the needs and challenges suppliers like Syamsul face. For him, the training was a game-changer. It wasn’t just about learning new concepts; it was about seeing those concepts in action and how they could be applied to his work.
Motivated by what he had learned, Syamsul returned with a renewed sense of purpose. He began implementing changes that would not only meet GAR’s expectations but also elevate their entire operations. “Since joining the programme, I’ve noticed a big shift in how our suppliers approach their work,” he notes. “They’ve become more disciplined, especially with the introduction of traceability measures.”
Traceability, one of the key focuses of the SMART SPOT, was initially met with some resistance. “Not everyone was eager to change,” Syamsul admits. “Some saw the programme as just another set of rules to follow, rather than an opportunity to grow.” However, as the benefits of these new practices became apparent, attitudes began to shift. Suppliers started to see that these changes weren’t just about compliance – they were about improving the efficiency and sustainability of their operations.
Syamsul’s role in this transformation was crucial. He bridged GAR’s vision for sustainability and the day-to-day realities of palm oil production in Siak and Pelalawan. By working closely with suppliers and his own team, he fosters a culture of continuous improvement. “We were no longer just meeting requirements – we were exceeding them,” he says proudly.
The path forward
For Syamsul, the concept of sustainability goes beyond just meeting the needs of the present. “It’s also about making sure we don’t take more than what can be replaced, so future generations have the same opportunities we do,” he explains. By balancing human activity with the environment, Syamsul is committed to ensuring natural resources remain available for years to come.
Traceability has become a cornerstone of their operations to ensure their supply chain is transparent and accountable. But beyond traceability, Syamsul believes in creating a system supporting economic growth and environmental stewardship.
A pivotal moment came when Syamsul began engaging his suppliers and Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) dealers about adopting sustainability practices. “The reactions were mixed,” he remembers. “Some had questions, others were supportive, but it showed me how important it is to bring everyone along on this journey.”
“Every action we take has a cost, especially when it comes to the environment. While it’s all about making progress, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet.”
Looking back on his experience, Syamsul shares a key lesson: “We need to set aside our egos and recognise that we don’t live in isolation on Earth. Every action we take has a cost, especially when it comes to the environment. While it’s all about making progress, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet.”
—–
GAR engages closely with our suppliers to help them meet No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) standards and attain traceability of their own supply chain.
Learn more how we support suppliers to operate more efficiently and sustainably here.
—–
