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Allegations of government interference mar Kadin leadership race
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (second right) is accompanied by State Secretary Pratikno (third right) as he addresses members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on Aug. 27, 2018. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak)
T
he race for the chairmanship of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), one of the most influential business lobby groups in the county, has intensified in recent weeks amid allegations of government intervention to back certain candidates.
Kadin is slated to hold its national meeting in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi on June 30, about three weeks later than the original plan, when it was to be held in Bali. In a statement last month, organizing committee head Adisatrya Sulisto cited a government directive to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as the reason behind the change in venue and schedule.
The upcoming meeting is expected to elect a chairman that will succeed Rosan Roeslani, who is not in the race. Anindya Novyan Bakrie, the president director of holding company Bakrie & Brothers and eldest son of senior Golkar Party politician Aburizal Bakrie, will contest the race with Arsjad Rasjid, president director of publicly listed coal miner Indika Energy.
Anindya campaigns on the platform of strengthening Kadin’s institutional and human resource capacity to become a strong partner for the government, while Arsjad vows to make Kadin more inclusive, particularly to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Alleged government interference
Speculations of government intervention have recently intensified following reports from some Kadin members, who said they were asked to vote for Arsjad by people claiming to be from the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
A Kadin member, who requested anonymity out of concern for safety, confirmed this to The Jakarta Post, claiming to be among members who had been contacted by BIN officials.
