HIPMI XVIII National Conference Overflows, Committee Asks Attendees to Sit on Floor

The 18th National Conference (Munas) of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) at the Novotel Hotel Lampung Ballroom on Wednesday was marked by a surging number of attendees and invited guests. The ballroom’s limited capacity meant some participants did not get a seat. The situation briefly prompted protests from several invitees before the committee asked those without seating to sit on the floor so the event could proceed in an orderly manner. “We know you have come from far away, from Aceh, Maluku, Papua and so on. So if you don’t get a chair, just sit down. If you don’t want to sit, I will ask you to leave later,” one committee member said while giving directions to participants. The committee also repeatedly reminded attendees to maintain order ahead of the arrival of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was scheduled to open the 18th HIPMI National Conference. According to the committee, an unconducive atmosphere could potentially disrupt the series of events and the welcoming of the President. “If it is not conducive, then the President will not enter here,” the committee stressed over the loudspeaker. The excessive number of participants was evident from the crowded ballroom area and the corridors around the event location. The committee stated that at least 2,500 identity cards had been distributed to participants and invited guests attending this year’s HIPMI National Conference. As of 1:32 PM Western Indonesian Time, President Prabowo Subianto was reported to have arrived at the Novotel Hotel Lampung and was in the transit room before entering the event location. A number of high-ranking state officials also appeared to be present at the agenda, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Rosan Roeslani, the Head of BKPM, and Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The 18th HIPMI National Conference is the forum for electing the Chairman of the Central Executive Board for the 2026-2029 period, contested by four candidates: Ade Jona Prasetyo, Anthony Leong, Reynaldo Bryan, and Afifuddin Kalla. Outside the event location, joint TNI and Polri forces conducted tight security following the President’s presence at the national agenda. Sterilisation of the area was carried out from midday to ensure all series of activities proceeded safely and smoothly. The increased activity around the location also impacted traffic flow. Congestion occurred in the Garuntang area, especially from the direction of the Garuntang petrol station towards the Novotel Hotel Lampung. Traffic density was also visible from the Garuntang traffic light intersection to the hotel entrance gate. Despite the room capacity issue, the implementation of the 18th HIPMI National Conference continued, marked by high enthusiasm from participants who came from various regions across Indonesia to attend the agenda of the country’s largest young entrepreneur organisation.