Loyalty to Prabowo Cited as Key Factor in HIPMI BPP National Congress
The Steering Committee (SC) for the 18th National Congress (Munas) of the Central Board of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (BPP HIPMI) has officially named four candidates for the upcoming general chairman term on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
The four candidates are Anthony Leong, Ade Jona Prasetyo, Reynaldo Bryan, and Afifuddin Kalla.
Among these names, Anthony Leong is seen as the figure receiving the most attention. He is not only known as a businessman but also as a long-time loyalist to Prabowo who has consistently stood in the volunteer ranks since 2019.
Executive Director of Voxpol Center Research and Consulting, Pangi Syarwi Chaniago, assesses that Anthony Leong’s emergence in the race for HIPMI General Chairman is not merely an ordinary organisational contest but also carries strong political dimensions.
“In the context of today’s government, President Prabowo Subianto certainly needs extensions of his influence in various strategic organisations, including HIPMI,” said Pangi in his statement on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
“A figure like a loyalist such as Anthony Leong is relevant because he has a long track record in supporting Prabowo,” he added.
Pangi opines that loyalty tested through various phases, both in defeat and victory, is considered a very important value. Therefore, Anthony’s figure, who has often been by Prabowo’s side especially in previous difficult phases, represents a primary asset that cannot be overlooked.
“Anthony is not an instant figure. He participated in difficult phases alongside Prabowo, experienced several defeats, and only tasted victory in 2024. That shows consistency and political resilience,” said Pangi.
He also emphasised that HIPMI going forward needs a figure who is not only strong in business but also has access and closeness to the centre of government.
“I think a figure like Brother Anthony has a role in policy-making and can serve as a bridge between young entrepreneurs and the government; it will be very strategic if he can be elected at the 18th HIPMI National Congress in 2026. Regional HIPMI branches will certainly examine the track records of each candidate to see who is truly a Prabowo loyalist,” he stated.
For information, Anthony’s political contributions have been long and full of dynamics. He is recorded as having supported Prabowo in several political contests that ended in defeat, before finally achieving victory in the 2024 Presidential Election.