Investment Ministry Refers Kadin Cilegon Thuggery Against Chandra Asri Project to Police
The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM has referred the resolution of thuggery committed by elements of the Cilegon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) against a Chandra Asri project to the police, as the matter now falls within the domain of law enforcement to provide a deterrent effect.
"Speaking of investment growth, there are still many major challenges, most importantly regarding the conduciveness of the investment climate. For several months now, we have heard of similar actions that are troubling and disruptive to investment activities," said Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Todotua Pasaribu in a video statement received by Katadata, quoted on Thursday (15 May).
The Banten Regional Police said they would conduct an inquiry and investigation in accordance with due process.
Director of Legal and External Affairs at PT Chandra Asri, Edi Rivai, said that despite the thuggery, the company remains committed to investing in Indonesia and ensuring that 8 per cent economic growth can be achieved.
"Our hope going forward is that the project runs smoothly within the rather tight timeline. We also hope that things will improve and that such undesirable incidents do not recur," said Edi.
The incident involving a group of individuals claiming to be members of the Cilegon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in West Java has come under scrutiny. In a video that went viral on social media, the group demanded a Rp 5 trillion share of a project from PT Chandra Asri Alkali during a meeting with Chinese contractor China Chengda Engineering Co. Ltd.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry responded by forming an investment team and drawing up standard operating procedures regarding the organisation's involvement in national strategic projects.
"To prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," Kadin wrote in an official statement on Wednesday (14 May).
Such acts of thuggery have occurred several times since the beginning of 2025. President Prabowo Subianto expressed his concern over the proliferation of criminal activities by thugs masquerading as community organisations that are disrupting investment in Indonesia. Prabowo has coordinated with the Attorney General and the National Police Chief to address the issue.
"If they [the thugs] commit criminal acts, the government will not tolerate it and there is the option [of prosecution]," said State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta last Friday.
"Speaking of investment growth, there are still many major challenges, most importantly regarding the conduciveness of the investment climate. For several months now, we have heard of similar actions that are troubling and disruptive to investment activities," said Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Todotua Pasaribu in a video statement received by Katadata, quoted on Thursday (15 May).
The Banten Regional Police said they would conduct an inquiry and investigation in accordance with due process.
Director of Legal and External Affairs at PT Chandra Asri, Edi Rivai, said that despite the thuggery, the company remains committed to investing in Indonesia and ensuring that 8 per cent economic growth can be achieved.
"Our hope going forward is that the project runs smoothly within the rather tight timeline. We also hope that things will improve and that such undesirable incidents do not recur," said Edi.
The incident involving a group of individuals claiming to be members of the Cilegon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in West Java has come under scrutiny. In a video that went viral on social media, the group demanded a Rp 5 trillion share of a project from PT Chandra Asri Alkali during a meeting with Chinese contractor China Chengda Engineering Co. Ltd.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry responded by forming an investment team and drawing up standard operating procedures regarding the organisation's involvement in national strategic projects.
"To prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," Kadin wrote in an official statement on Wednesday (14 May).
Such acts of thuggery have occurred several times since the beginning of 2025. President Prabowo Subianto expressed his concern over the proliferation of criminal activities by thugs masquerading as community organisations that are disrupting investment in Indonesia. Prabowo has coordinated with the Attorney General and the National Police Chief to address the issue.
"If they [the thugs] commit criminal acts, the government will not tolerate it and there is the option [of prosecution]," said State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta last Friday.