Labor export body threatens old board

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)