In what can only be seen as a major blow to recovery hopes for Bali’s tourism economy, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) canceled plans to hold its general meeting Bali 02-04 June 2021.
As reported by finance.detik.com, the decision to cancel a meeting that was expected to draw thousands of participants and family members is drawing strong criticism from some elements of KADIN’s leadership.
One of KADIN’s directors, Kamrussamad, told detik.com: “The cancellation of the National Congress of KADIN 02-04 June 2021, has wounded the current struggle to restore the National Economy, especially the tourism sector.”
Balipost.com reports that the General Assembly of KADIN-Indonesia will occur on 30 June 2021 in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. The KADIN officer in charge of organizing the delayed gathering, Adisatrya Sulisto, told the State News Agency Antara on Monday, 31 May 2021, that the decision to cancel the Bali meeting was based on health considerations and central government warning to be on guard for a spike in new COVID-19 infections following the recent Idul Fitri Holidays.
Kamrusamad said he believes the chairman of KADIN, Rosan Roeslani, may have violated the organization’s bylaws by canceling the event because his term of office expired in late 2020. But, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the plans for the general assembly was postponed until June 2021 in Bali.
A daily meeting the KADIN Executive held on 25 May 2021 decided to suddenly cancel the Bali conference. Some have speculated that the decision was made at the suggestion of the Indonesian President.
Kamrusamad called on Roeslani to clarify the reasons for the cancellation of the general assembly.
Kamrusamad bemoaned the sudden cancellation. He said small and medium-sized enterprises in Bali would suffer significant economic losses after spending money to prepare resources and supplies in place for the now-canceled conference.