Astra Brings the Spirit of Empowerment through Kampung Berseri Astra Negeri Katon

LAMPUNG: Birdsong fills the morning air in the peaceful setting of Negeri Katon Village, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung. On modest verandas, women and teenage girls bow their heads in concentration, their nimble fingers placing threads of gold and silver onto fabric. Stitch by stitch, they create tapis cloth—a sacred Lampung cultural heirloom rich in meaning and a vital source of family income.

Since 1980, tapis making has been the heartbeat of this community, not only preserving Lampung’s cultural heritage but also bolstering household economies. Astra, through its Kampung Berseri Astra program, has worked alongside the people of Negeri Katon since 2019 to ensure that the tapis tradition endures while paving the way for greater family welfare.

“Astra is committed to delivering sustainable social contributions to Indonesian society. Through the Kampung Berseri Astra program, we foster community empowerment in various areas—from cultural preservation and skill development, to self-reliance enhancement—with the goal of creating long-term benefits for future generations,” said Astra Chief of Corporate Affairs Boy Kelana Soebroto.

In Negeri Katon, nearly every household participates in tapis production, typically led by women and teenage girls. The entire process is hand-embroidered—laying gold or silver threads onto cloth without machinery—making each piece unique and highly prized. Beyond traditional sarongs and shawls, tapis has evolved into products such as Muslim apparel, wallets, table linens, and wall hangings, featuring motifs drawn from mountains, slopes, and hills.

This empowerment effort is powered by collaboration with Nola Marta, recipient of the 2019 SATU Indonesia Awards in entrepreneurship and a local champion from Kampung Berseri Astra Negeri Katon. She transforms artisans’ tapis into eco-friendly fashion showcased at prestigious events—from Indonesia Fashion Week to New York International Fashion Week. Over 75 percent of production remains handmade, preserving the authenticity of the tapis tradition even as it adapts to modern fashion.

Most recently, Nola’s creations debuted at Fashion Nation 2025 in Jakarta, during a fashion show event featuring MSMEs and designers supported by Astra within a sustainable fashion ecosystem.

Thanks to these ongoing initiatives, tapis from Kampung Berseri Astra Negeri Katon stands not only as a symbol of cultural preservation but also as an economic engine for families. Village women who once wove solely for ritual needs now enhance household prosperity through a wider market for their tapis products.

Astra’s dedication to empowering Indonesian communities aligns with its mission to Prosper with the Nation and its commitment to supporting Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals.

 

For further information, please contact:

Windy Riswantyo
Head of Corporate Communications
PT Astra International Tbk
Telp. 021-508-43-888

 

About Astra

Astra is one of Indonesia’s largest public companies, comprising 301 subsidiaries, joint ventures, and associate companies, supported by more than 190,000 employees. The company’s diversified business model creates synergies and opportunities across industry sectors including automotive & mobility, financial services, heavy equipment, mining construction & energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, information technology, and property. The company has a new sustainability framework which includes Astra’s 2030 Sustainability Aspirations. It will guide Astra in the transition journey to be a more sustainable business by 2030 and beyond. Astra wishes to contribute to the strength and resilience of the Indonesian economy while supporting an inclusive and prosperous society.

Astra has a strong record of public and social contributions through four pillars, which consist of health, education, environment, and entrepreneurship as well as nine foundations to contribute to the growth of the Indonesian economy while encouraging a more inclusive and prosperous society. Established in 2010, Astra’s Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia Awards program, has recognised the contribution of 726 young Indonesians at the national and provincial level across the nation. The SATU Indonesia Awards program is integrated with Astra’s wide range of community activities through more than 1,500 Desa Sejahtera Astra and Kampung Berseri Astra in 35 provinces throughout Indonesia.

For more about Astra, visit astra.co.id, and follow us on Instagram @satu_indonesia, TikTok @satu_indonesia, YouTube SATU Indonesia, X (Twitter) @satu_indonesia, LinkedIn PT Astra International Tbk, and Facebook Semangat Astra Terpadu.