West Java Chamber of Commerce Election Dispute: Allegations of Irregularities Surface in Bogor Muprov Trial

Two witnesses in the lawsuit concerning the management of the West Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) have revealed alleged violations during the Provincial Consultative Meeting (Muprov) held in Bogor. The issues raised include the eligibility criteria for nominating a chairman, the procedural stages of the consultation, and the validity of participants holding voting rights. These testimonies were presented during a trial at the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday, July 28. The lawsuit was initiated by Mulyadi, Chairman of Kadin Indramayu, and Rajab Riyadi, Chairman of Garut Regency Kadin, against the Indonesian Kadin and several of its central managers. Nizar Sungkar, Chairman of the West Java Kadin, testified that the nomination of Almer Faiq Rusydi as a candidate for chairman in the Bogor Muprov was suspected of not adhering to the organization's regulations and its basic and household budgets. Sungkar stated that Almer had not completed a full five-year term as Chairman of the Bogor Chamber of Commerce, making him ineligible to run for West Java Kadin Chairman. Furthermore, Sungkar revealed that Almer's leadership status had been frozen, reportedly due to his refusal to recognize Anindya Bakrie as the General Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, following an extraordinary national deliberation. The defense lawyer for the defendant protested Sungkar's presence as a witness. The presiding judge panel clarified that only information directly relevant to the main issues would be considered. Deni Irawan, the second witness, provided insights into the implementation of the Bogor Muprov on September 24, 2025. He assessed that the deliberation suffered from legal defects, as several procedural steps were omitted, and some attendees were not managers with voting rights. Roy Sianipar, the plaintiff's lawyer, stated that the testimonies of both witnesses strengthened the basis of their lawsuit, which questions the legality of the Bogor Muprov. At the outset of the trial, Sianipar also presented a copy of an invitation from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry proposing a peace settlement to the plaintiffs. The Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Eman Sulaeman, expressed support for any efforts towards reconciliation. This dispute originated from two simultaneous West Java Kadin Muprovs held on September 24, 2025, in Bandung and Bogor. The Bandung Muprov elected Nizar Sungkar, while the Bogor Muprov appointed Almer Faiq Rusydi as its chairman. The lawsuit is registered under case number 1356/Pdt.G/2025/PN JKT.SEL. The defendants include Anindya Bakrie, General Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with several central managers. The next hearing is scheduled to feature expert witnesses from the plaintiffs' side. Source: VOI English