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No surprises: How negotiations, ‘pragmatism’ concluded recent Kadin leadership race
Chairman of Kadin Gorontalo chapter and Anindya supporter Muhalim Litty said that since the deal had already been struck between Anindya and Arjsad, the two camps had instead used the Kadin national meeting as a forum to further negotiate compromises, particularly to accommodate the demands of Anindya’s camp.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gives a speech to the Kadin general assembly in Kendari, South East Sulawesi, on June 30 2021. (Sekretariat Presiden/Screenshot)
T
he national meeting of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), held recently in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, was initially expected to become a tightly contested race for the leadership of the influential business lobby group. However, it turned into a compromise-seeking forum for its members after the two competing candidates struck a deal amid alleged interference from the government in favor of a specific candidate.
Kadin members unanimously agreed on the last day of the two-day event on July 1 to name Arsjad Rasjid, president director of publicly listed coal mining firm Indika Energy, their new chairman to succeed Rosan Roeslani, who was appointed as Indonesian ambassador to the United States. Arsjad’s rival Anindya Novyan Bakrie, the president director of holding company Bakrie & Brothers and eldest son of senior Golkar Party politician Aburizal Bakrie, was elected as Kadin advisory council chairman.
The result marked the end of a leadership contest that was marred by alleged government intervention, with reports having emerged that some of Kadin members were approached by people claiming to be State Intelligence Agency (BIN) officials telling them to vote for Arsjad. A BIN spokesman has denied such claims.
Read also: Allegations of government interference mar Kadin leadership race
The meeting's outcome was also in line with an arrangement announced by Rosan just three days before the meeting was held. Rosan made the announcement after he told President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo of the deal between Arsjad and Anindya, which further fueled speculation as to the government's influence in determining the outcome of the race.
A Kadin member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, criticized Rosan’s announcement, which effectively ended the race before Kadin members, who have voting rights in the organization, could have a say in determining the outcome of the race.
“When it was announced that there was a deal [before the meeting], who had agreed to it?" said the member, adding that the arrangement violated Kadin’s internal rules. "Those who have the right to vote are regional Kadin members and association [partners] and [those making the deal]."
