Bakrie denies dissension among Kadin ranks

Bakrie denies dissension among Kadin ranks

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Aburizal Bakrie
yesterday denied that the creation of the National Cooperation
Forum of Company Associations (FKAP) is a revolt by several
eminent members of the chamber.

"We support it. The creation of the forum is good as long as
it doesn't turn into an organization," Aburizal said here
yesterday.

Prior to attending a gala dinner of the Third Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Achievement Awards, Aburizal
noted that as a forum, the FKAP would certainly help Kadin's
various activities.

FKAP was formed during a two-day national dialog of company
associations ended in Jakarta on Thursday.

In a letter to Kadin, notable businessmen Sukamdani S.
Gitosardjono, I Nyoman Moena, HMB Nawawi and Wisnu H. Krestowo
said they felt it necessary for the various associations to work
under the chamber to establish a separate forum to facilitate
cross sectoral activities in anticipation of business
globalization and the post Uruguay Round world economic
structure.

In establishing FKAP, the signatories referred to suggestions
from the ministers of trade, industry and investment to
strengthen national industries in an increasingly competitive
global market.

Commenting further on FKAP's creation, Aburizal felt that it
was essential that they work within the bounds of a discussion
forum.

"Even creating an alternative organization wouldn't be against
Kadin principles but the point is that it just isn't necessary,"
he strongly remarked.

Denial

When asked whether the Forum was created as a reaction by the
various sectoral associations due to their dissatisfaction of
Kadin's executive committee, Aburizal quickly retorted in denial.

"Kadin works on a macro-level, while associations work in a
micro-level. Both are important and inseparable to each other,"
he explained.

However, Aburizal was quick to deter any notion of the
associations elevating themselves to a higher macro-level,
insisting that the aim of the associations is to advance and
resolve problems in their respective sectors.

There are currently some 300 sectoral associations working
under Kadin, such as those representing the textile, forestry,
automotive, steel and chemical sectors.

"These associations are extremely important in their own
individual sectors," he stressed, quickly adding that, "the
associations shouldn't think in a macro level."

In reply to suggestions that FKAP grew out of the
inharmonious climate prevailing between Kadin and the government,
Aburizal said no such friction existed.

"It's not true that there's friction between Kadin and the
government," he said.

Aburizal was selected as Kadin's new chairman last January,
prevailing over the government's sponsored nominee A.R. Ramly,
who coincidentally is named as one of the 11 businessmen assigned
to form FKAP's executive committee.

"Relations are very good, many of Kadin's proposals have been
adopted by the government," he said without elaborating further.