New Indonesia KADIN Chairman Ends a Prolonged Leadership Dispute

The appointment of Anindya Novyan Bakrie as Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) for the 2024-2029 term marked the resolution of a prolonged internal leadership dispute. This decision was formalized during a national consolidation congress held in Jakarta on January 16, 2025, aimed at resolving tensions between Anindya Bakrie and Arsjad Rasjid, who had served as KADIN’s chairman with a 5-year mandate since 2021. As part of the reconciliation, Arsjad was appointed as chairman of KADIN’s advisory board, symbolizing a renewed sense of unity within the organization.

The leadership conflict originated in September 2024 when an extraordinary KADIN national congress elected Anindya Bakrie as the new chairman. Arsjad argued that the congress was illegitimate, citing opposition from 21 provincial KADIN executive committees and the failure to meet quorum requirements. The dispute escalated due to accusations from Anindya’s supporters, who claimed that Arsjad compromised KADIN’s neutrality by serving as campaign manager for Ganjar Pranowo during the 2024 presidential election, arguing that this political involvement warranted new leadership.

Efforts to mediate the conflict were led by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, who facilitated a key meeting between the two leaders in September, 2024. The meeting resulted in an agreement to hold a new national convention after Indonesia’s presidential inauguration. President Prabowo Subianto, attended the reconciliation and  emphasized the importance of unity within KADIN to support the government’s target of 8% economic growth.