Jakarta. Renowned business executive Anindya Bakrie was appointed chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on Saturday, sparking immediate opposition from the current chairman, Arsjad Rasjid, who has refused to step down.

Arsjad condemned the "extraordinary national congress" held at a Jakarta hotel, calling it illegitimate and contrary to Kadin's organizational principles.

The congress was attended by representatives from 28 out of Kadin's 38 provincial chapters. However, Arsjad's supporters claimed that at least 21 provincial chapters had openly opposed the event.

Arsjad had secured the Kadin chairmanship by acclamation at the national congress in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on June 30, 2021, where Anindya was his sole challenger. His term is not due to expire until June 2026.

"The congress was conducted in complete violation of Kadin's charter and organizational guidelines, and thus, we, the leadership board of Kadin Indonesia, deem the extraordinary congress illegal," a statement from Arsjad’s camp read.

It remains unclear whether the congress participants had any substantial reason for seeking to remove Arsjad from office.

Muhalim Djafar Litty, chairman of Kadin's Gorontalo chapter, voiced his continued support for Arsjad and rejected the legitimacy of the new leadership.

"Kadin Indonesia does not recognize the so-called extraordinary national congress or mid-term leadership change unless the sitting chairman has violated the law or voluntarily resigned," Muhalim said.

The 21 provincial chapters opposing the congress include Bengkulu, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Gorontalo, Jambi, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau, East Kalimantan, Maluku, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, West Papua, Southwest Papua, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi.

However, business tycoon and Kadin figure Bambang Soesatyo argued that a leadership transition can occur at any time if demanded by the majority of provincial chapters.

“We simply facilitate the aspirations of the majority of regional chapters,” said Bambang, who also serves as the speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly, the nation's highest legislative body.

Politics at Play
Nurdin Halid, who chaired the congress, accused Arsjad of violating Kadin's principles of impartiality.

“Kadin is an independent organization. It belongs neither to the government nor to any political entity,” Nurdin said, though he did not elaborate on the alleged violation. Arsjad had recently led the presidential campaign for Ganjar Pranowo, who lost the February election.

In his acceptance speech, Anindya, the son of business magnate and former Kadin chairman Aburizal Bakrie, struck a reconciliatory tone. He also pledged to strengthen the partnership between Kadin and the government.

“This is just a normal dynamic in any organization, and hopefully, it will make Kadin even stronger. To those who are already with us, let's work together. To those who aren’t yet with us, the door is always open,” Anindya said.

Investment Minister Rosan Perkasa Roeslani attended the congress, signaling his support for Anindya. Rosan, who served as Kadin chairman before Arsjad, had chaired the presidential campaign of Prabowo Subianto, who won the election.