In 1993, Pangkalan Kerinci was a quiet riverside village of just 200 homes. Today, it has evolved into a vibrant town of over 100,000 people: a transformation driven by the growth of our co-located supply partner APRIL – a fellow member of the RGE Group of companies – and now home to APR’s world-class viscose rayon operation.
A two-hour drive from Pekanbaru, the Riau Complex is an integrated residential estate. It combines modern housing with key infrastructure, including accredited international schools, medical clinics, and a community centre, to support the thousands of employees who call Pangkalan Kerinci home.
For the APR team, the complex provides the comforts of home right on the doorstep of our clean manufacturing operation.
So what does life in Riau Complex look like?
Housing & Accommodation
We recognise that transitioning into a new environment is about more than just finding a place to stay. The Riau Complex offers a range of residential facilities suited to both employees and their families.
The Riau Complex features round-the-clock security patrols to ensure safe environments for residents and landscaped with greenery and tree-lined streets, providing a quiet atmosphere away from the city’s noise. For daily needs, an on-site grocery store is available within the complex.
The estate is also home to Hotel Unigraha, the only three-star hotel in Pangkalan Kerinci. Open to both residents and visitors, the hotel features a swimming pool, business centre, and full-service, multi-cuisine restaurant. Since 2018, the hotel has implemented environmentally conscious practices such as replacing single-use plastic bottles with water dispensers and using paper straws throughout the facility.
Education and Childcare
Within the Riau Complex, education is managed by the Kerinci Citra Kasih Foundation (YKCK), providing accredited schooling from kindergarten to high school. Global Andalan and Taruna Andalan schools both follow the Indonesian national curriculum and hold ‘A’ accreditations. Additionally, Mutiara Harapan School (SMH) offers a blend of national and international curricula as the only International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma school in the Riau province.
For many employees, like Zahara Dewi, a Technical Engineer Environment who joined APR in 2017, the availability of these facilities was a key factor in her transition. “When I first arrived, I was surprised by the quality of the schools. Now that I have a family, my child attends SMH,” she says.
The school also encourages active parental involvement. “I recently joined other parents to lead a classroom session focused on fine motor skills and creativity,” says Zahara. “This, combined with daycare facilities in the complex, provides great support for working parents.”
Healthcare
The Riau Complex prioritises the health and safety of its residents by providing accessible medical facilities within the estate. Each of the main residential areas, Townsite 1 and Townsite 2, has its own dedicated clinic.
These facilities are staffed by professional medical teams and are designed to provide responsive care for the community. The proximity to these clinics ensures that APR employees and their families have immediate access to healthcare, providing peace of mind within the residential environment.
Sports and Well-Being
The complex also offers a wide range of facilities to support an active lifestyle, including dedicated courts for football, basketball, and tennis, as well as an extensive jogging track. The recent addition of the RGE Community Centre (RGECC) further enhances these options, serving as a centralised hub for community and wellness. The facility includes a fully equipped gym, library, coffee shop, yoga space, function hall, among others.
For many residents, these facilities provide both fitness and social connection. “I enjoy using the open green spaces for walking and running,” says Zahara. “There are also Zumba classes organised by the women in the complex, which are a great way to stay active while interacting with other residents.”
On weekends, families often visit the Badan Pelatihan dan Pengembangan Usaha Terpadu (BPPUT) farm area. “It is a great educational experience for children; we can visit the gardens, see the livestock, and buy fresh produce during harvest.”
For Felix Chandra, APR’s CI Facilitator Business Continuous Improvement, these integrated facilities are a core part of his daily routine. “Living in Townsite 1 is very convenient. I regularly use the gym at RGECC, which is a great space for training,” Felix explains.
Team sports also play a role in building professional relationship for employees, “Once a week, I play futsal with my colleagues from the Business Continuous Improvement Department (BCID), which helps strengthen our communication and connection. In the afternoons, I often jog around the sports center or through the shaded area of the complex. These facilities, along with community events like Culture Week (PSB) and Fun Runs, make the complex feel like a true home.”
The Riau Complex is designed to provide the infrastructure necessary for a smooth transition in Pangkalan Kerinci. The centralised approach allows APR team to focus on their professional roles while maintaining a consistent quality of life within a secure and well-appointed community. Explore opportunities to join us at APR
