Chairman of Kadin Indonesia Arsjad Rasjid stated his stance to stick to Kadin Indonesia's bylaws based on Law No. 1 of 1987 and Presidential Decree No. 18 of 2022, especially in leading Kadin Indonesia as the only organisation for the business world. He made the statement in response to the Extraordinary National Conference (Munaslub) on Saturday (14/9), which violated Kadin Indonesia's Articles of Association and Bylaws.

‘There is only one Kadin Indonesia, which is Kadin Indonesia, whose organisation is based on Law 1 of 1987 on Kadin Indonesia and Presidential Decree Number 18 of 2022. Therefore, all forms of Kadin Indonesia activities, including the organisation of the National Conference, must comply with the provisions of the Law and the mandate of the AD/ART,’ said Arsjad.

Arsjad added that he was trusted to serve as Chairman of Kadin Indonesia for the 2021-2026 period also through processes and procedures that are legal and in accordance with the provisions of the Law and organisational rules, namely being elected by acclamation based on a joint decision at the 8th National Conference of Kadin Indonesia dated 30 June 2021, in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

‘On this occasion, a number of administrators, as well as 21 Provincial Kadin Chairmen, and representatives of Extraordinary Members (ALB) of Kadin Indonesia have attended with me. I invite us to obey and uphold the rules and regulations of the applicable law for the progress of business organisations that contribute to national economic growth,’ Arsjad added.

As is known, on Saturday (14/9) a National Conference was held, initiated by the Advisory Council and a handful of Kadin Indonesia administrators. The Munaslub then agreed on the appointment of Chairman of the Advisory Board Anindya Bakrie as Chairman of Kadin Indonesia for the 2024-2029 period to replace Arsjad Rasjid. Because it has violated the provisions of Kadin Indonesia's AD / ART, the Munaslub has received rejection from the Kadin Management Board, the majority of Regional Kadin Chairmen, and ALB.

Vice Chairman for Law and Human Rights of Kadin Indonesia, Dhaniswara K. Harjono said, based on Article 18 of Kadin Indonesia's bylaws, the Munaslub can only be held if there is a violation of the principles of the bylaws, financial misappropriation and treasury of the organisation, or malfunctioning of the Executive Board so that the provisions of the bylaws and decisions of the National Conference are not implemented properly.

‘The argument used to hold the Munaslub is related to the joining of Mr Arsjad Rasjid as Chairman of the Winning Team of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates during the last election, which cannot be used as an excuse, considering that his involvement is on a personal level and does not involve Kadin institutions. He also submitted a temporary absence which was approved by the Executive Board of Kadin Indonesia, including the Chairman of the Advisory Board of Kadin Indonesia, Anindya Bakrie,’ said Dhaniswara.

Dhaniswara continued, the holding of the Munaslub also did not go through the stages required by the AD / ART, such as the First and Second Warning Letters as regulated in the AD / ART of Kadin Indonesia.

‘There has never been any evidence or warning letter stating a violation in accordance with Article 18 of Kadin Indonesia's bylaws by the General Chairman or the Executive Board of Kadin Indonesia. The letters sent by the Provincial Kadin to Kadin Indonesia regarding Arsjad Rasjid's resignation request as Chairman of Kadin Indonesia and the letter organising the National Conference do not meet the elements to be classified as the First Warning Letter,’ he explained.

In addition, according to Article 18 paragraph 2 of Kadin Indonesia's bylaws, the Munaslub can also only be proposed by at least half of the number of Provincial Kadin and half of the number of ALB recorded in the last National Conference. To propose the Munaslub, the Provincial Kadin must also hold a Plenary Meeting first.

Then in Article 18 paragraph 12 of the AD / ART, it is stated that the Munaslub reaches a quorum and is valid if attended by more than half (50% +1) of the Full Participants, and its decisions are declared valid and binding on the organisation if agreed upon by deliberation or by a majority vote of the Munaslub participants.

‘Based on the information we received, yesterday's illegal Munaslub was only attended by 25 ALBs, which did not reach half the number of ALBs recorded in the last National Conference, at least 50+1 of 124 ALBs. Thus, the Munaslub is invalid,’ he said.

Vice Chairman for Organisation, Law, and Communication Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi said that the Munaslub was not only illegal, but had also disrupted the harmony of the Kadin organisation as a strategic partner of the government in building an inclusive and sustainable economy.

‘Arsjad Rasjid was elected by acclamation as Chairman of Kadin Indonesia based on the decision of the 8th National Conference of Kadin Indonesia. The results were agreed upon including by those who are now the initiators of the Munaslub. This is an irony. This is like sinking your own ship,’ said Yukki.

Previously, rejection of the Munaslub was also conveyed by 21 out of a total of 35 Provincial Kadin across Indonesia, including Bengkulu, Yogyakarta, DKI Jakarta, Gorontalo, Jambi, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Maluku, North Maluku, NTT, Papua, West Papua, Riau, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, and Southwest Papua.

‘We reject all forms of unauthorised movements. We consider all actions that are not in line with organisational rules, damaging the Kadin's dignity as an organisation for the business world,’ said Chairman of the Southeast Sulawesi Kadin, Anton Timbang.