Controversy Over HIPMI National Congress Location Intensifies
The debate surrounding the implementation of the 18th National Congress (Munas) of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) is intensifying. Amidst the ongoing process, several narratives have emerged from various candidates that remain unverified.
Three out of four candidates for the General Chairperson position have expressed objections to holding Munas XVIII in Lampung. They cited concerns regarding neutrality and adherence to organisational mechanisms in determining the event’s location.
Concurrently, reports circulated suggesting that over 51 Chairpersons of Regional Executive Boards (BPD) of HIPMI rejected the holding of the Congress in Lampung. However, this information was refuted by the Chairperson of the East Java BPD HIPMI, Ahmad Salim Asseguaf, who described the claims as misleading.
According to Ahmad, during the HIPMI Plenary Council Session (SDP) 2026 held in Makassar, all forum participants delegated the decision regarding the Munas XVIII location to the General Chairperson of the Central Executive Board (BPP) HIPMI, Akbar Himawan Buchari. He noted that the Organizing Committee (OC) and Steering Committee (SC) subsequently agreed that the Congress would take place in Lampung.
Ahmad further clarified that this agreement remained in place until the day before the candidate debate commenced, as discussed during a meeting of Regional Chairpersons in Bali.
The stages of Munas XVIII HIPMI have now entered the second Candidate Debate agenda in Bali. Although the event began relatively smoothly, tensions arose between supporters of different candidates. The situation escalated during the open debate session when candidates numbered 1 (Reynaldo Bryan), 3 (Afifuddin Kalla), and 4 (Anthony Leong) chose to walk out of the forum. The trio stated that their action was a way to convey the aspirations of several Regional Boards that do not wish for the Congress to be held in Lampung. Consequently, the debate proceedings concluded earlier than scheduled.