Labor export body threatens old board

JAKARTA (JP): The new executive board of the Indonesian Association of Labor Exporters (APJATI) threatened yesterday to revoke the membership of a number of former leaders if they fail to present accounts of their terms in office.

The new board, led by Abdullah Puteh, has set Nov. 1 as the deadline for the former leaders to present accounts on financial matters and of how they had run the organization.

Members of the former executive board, led by Mahfud Zaelani, have refused to recognize the new board elected at a congress in September. They also refuse to account for their terms in office.

"The congress contravened the organization's statute," Mahfud's board said in a statement.

Association Secretary General Anthon Sihombing told reporters that Mahfud and his friends would be expelled from the organization if they ignored the deadline. Action could be taken on the grounds that Mahfud's supporters have launched attacks against the new leadership and the government, he said.

The new board would ask the government to revoke the operation permits granted to Mahfud and his friends' labor supply companies, said Anthon.

Anthon with deputy chairman on organizational affairs Ayub Salamah, said he had a suspicion there may have been financial mismanagement during Mahfud's term.

At least Rp 6 billion (US$25.3 million) has been collected from 128 labor export companies and over 125,000 workers since the organization was formed in 1995, he said.

Malik Aliun, a former member of the advisory council to the organization and an ally of Mahfud, said recently that his group refused to recognize Puteh's board because the congress was held in violation of the organization's statute.

He said his group would file a suit against Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief and Director General for Labor Replacement Jacky Iskandarsyah for issuing a permit for the congress. The lawsuit will be filed at the Jakarta Administrative Court.

Mahfud was not available for comments yesterday.

Mahfud's supporters are Jafar Bazamal, former procurator, Rustam Yusuf, former secretary general, and former marketing division chief Achmad Bafaqi. (rms)