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.