Exclusive! Chairperson of Apindo, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani Hopes Social Situation Remains Stable Amidst The Party of Democracy

According to Chairperson of Apindo, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, the problem of stunting is very strategic so that it is included in their strategic program. (Photo by Savic Rabos, DI Raga VOI)

The political climate is starting to warm up although the party of democracy will be held in 2024. For businessmen, said General Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, please let politicians fight for the people's sympathy, let the people have a party to channel their political aspirations. What they are concerned about is security, stability which makes the business climate run smoothly.

***

In the terms put forward by the Owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sintesa Group, political movement can happen, but political activity must be carried out in a wise way. In the sense of not disrupting economic activities that concern the livelihoods of many people.

“We need political stability and security to guarantee a good working climate. Soon we will face a democratic party, elections. Our hope is that the democratic party is an arena to compete side by side. Please compete, but in the end we can build this country together," she hoped.

What Shinta Widjaja Kamdani put forward is actually a matter of business continuity. In the same context as the top leader of Apindo, she also emphasized Apindo's main vision which emphasizes creating jobs, conducive, competitive and sustainable business climate factors.

Everything is still in the same breath, namely sustainability, and in Apindo's work program for the 2023 – 2028 period, she includes an issue about stunting. “Stunting is important so that we can get quality human resources. How are we going to achieve Golden Indonesia if there are still many Indonesian children suffering from malnutrition and stunting. So the stunting problem cannot only rely on the government to reduce it," she said.

The program that will be implemented by Apindo is to help the government reduce the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia through KIPAS STUNTING (Inclusive Collaboration of Indonesian Entrepreneurs Overcoming Stunting). "We want to target the stunting rate to drop to 21 percent while the government has set a target of 14 percent," she told Iqbal Irsyad, Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos, Rifai and Irfan Medianto from VOI who met her at the DUTA Tower, Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta, recently. Here is the excerpt.

In the management of Apindo 2023 – 2028 as Chairperson, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani included stunting as one of the strategic programs. (Photo by Savic Rabos, DI Raga VOI)

As the new Chairperson of Apindo replacing Hariyadi Sukamdani, what work programs will be realized during the 2023 - 2028 management period?

I joined Apindo for more than 20 years. To continue Mr. Hariyadi Sukamdani's leadership, preparations have also been made. Apindo's main vision that we propose is to create jobs, conducive, competitive and sustainable business climate factors.

For our mission, we focus on employment, investment, MSMEs, and advocacy. In this employment matter, all elements, such as industrial relations, training, etc. We also focus on MSMEs, because 95 percent of Indonesia's economy is MSMEs. From business development to networking, we want them to upgrade and be sustainable. Through this MSME we want to create new entrepreneurs. We also want to maintain and develop investment so as not to move to other countries. And we also provide input to the government and do advocacy in terms of regulations issued.

Why is stunting a concern and included in one of the programs that you will run?

I want to share that there were four superior work programs from Apindo. The first is about the Economic Roadmap. Every five years we prepare an economic roadmap which is compiled together with related associations. Soon there will be elections that will produce a new leader. The second is Merdeka UMKM, which is a business assistance program to scale up Indonesian MSMEs which also functions to prepare students to be ready for the world of work. So there is collaboration with campuses, MSMEs, and companies. This program has been rolled out in 4 provinces in Indonesia. Then there is the certification program, this is to advance industrial relations. We make training to issue this certificate.

Now about stunting, why is it important and is Apindo's flagship program?

This relates to HR. Stunting starts at an early age and even when pregnant women must pay attention so that their children are not born stunted later. What opened our eyes was a news report that 68 percent of Indonesians were malnourished. Then stunting in 2017 reached 29.6 percent. In 2022 the figure has fallen to 24 percent. We want the target to be 21 percent while the government has set a target of 14 percent.

What is Apindo doing to reduce the stunting rate?

We mobilize business actors through the KIPAS STUNTING program (Inclusive Collaboration of Indonesian Entrepreneurs to Overcome Stunting). We invite businesses to address this with preventive and intervention programs. From the start, pregnant women need adequate nutrition so that their children are not born stunted. Then it continues to breastfeeding mothers up to baduta (babies under two years). Stunting is important so that we can get quality human resources. How are we going to achieve Golden Indonesia if there are still many Indonesian children suffering from malnutrition and stunting. So the stunting problem cannot only rely on the government to reduce it. We as business actors who use human resources must also participate and receive attention from an early age. In the SDG's Goals, there is goal number 2, namely zero hunger.

What about the discourse on maternity leave for 6 months that was voiced by Puan Maharani some time ago?

I don't think it's directly related, because the problem of stunting is a problem of malnutrition and pregnant women and nursing mothers and under-fives. Regarding breastfeeding, now the company has provided a place for breastfeeding mothers, lactation rooms, childcare, etc. This has been prepared by many buildings and companies. There are also many work systems that allow women to have quality time with their children. So there is no need for an extended leave of six months. There has to be a reason why it was enforced, whether because of the mother's condition or the child's condition.

MSMEs, said the chairperson of Apindo Shinta Widjaja Kamdani is very dominant in the Indonesian economy, she wants MSMEs to be able to upgrade and be sustainable. (Photo by Savic Rabos, DI Raga VOI)

As an entrepreneur, what are the problems and challenges faced so far, for example in terms of legal certainty, skills gap, etc.?

From the business climate that must be conducive, that's why the government is carrying out structural reforms by carrying out the Ciptaker Law. This is done to improve the investment climate. Most rules, permission overlap will be minimized. We really appreciate the Ciptaker Law, but its implementation is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand. This is the biggest challenge for entrepreneurs, how can we run a business in Indonesia to be competitive and competitive. In order to be able to compete with other countries that also attract investment from outside.

In terms of industrialization, I think the government is on the right track by pursuing downstream. Because it has a lot of impact. So far, we have been very dependent on exports of raw materials. It will be a challenge to develop the upstream and downstream industries. So we do not depend on imports of raw materials.

In the future, our industry will be faced with a green economy, this cannot be avoided. We must enter into an energy transition, from fossil to EBT (new, renewable energy). Then we also talk about digitalization and innovation. With AI (artificial intelligence) and other technological developments, fewer human resources are needed. This is a challenge that must be faced by all of us, not only entrepreneurs.

 

What else besides that?

We need political stability and security to ensure a good working climate. Soon we will face a democratic party, elections. Our hope is that the democratic party is an arena to compete side by side. Please compete but in the end we can build this country together.

 

How prepared are the entrepreneurs themselves for this kind of reality?

To achieve golden Indonesia, we need a little more time, the existing demographic bonus can become a burden with automation. The thing is we can't create enough jobs. In addition, the trend of investment coming into Indonesia has been towards capital-intensive, previously labor-intensive investments such as textiles, shoes, etc. Another problem is the lack of links and matches, what comes out of the campus/school is not used in the workplace. Now the type of work that can be done by the digital industry is quite high. The types of skills needed for the current era are different. This is what we have to prepare. MSMEs and entrepreneurs who create jobs can also be a solution for the future.

You spoke about the national holidays being too many and making them unproductive, how about a normal holiday?

The national holiday has been set, there is an additional joint leave. If there is an addition like this, it's a pity not only for workers but also for employers. From the employer's point of view, productivity must go on. The problem is that there are sectors that benefit (tourism, transportation, consumption, etc.) and there are those that suffer losses (manufacturing) from this policy. Therefore, we urge that this is not mandatory. So it depends on the character of each business. So that everything can be well planned.

You also criticize the issue of additional transaction costs through QRIS which can be burdensome for MSMEs, what is the explanation?

Currently, the situation is still not recovering, whatever the additional costs will have an impact on the type of business being carried out, including MSMEs. In general, I'd say the added cost can be a burden. Before the government implements a policy, it would be nice to communicate with business people first. That's what we expect from the government. Don't make policies that shock us all.

When you took part in the President's working visit to Australia yesterday, what were the results?

Relations between Indonesia and Australia have been very positive. The agreement between the two countries already involved business actors. We have an interest, its utilization can be optimized. We hope that more investment will come in. Not only between governments, but also from business players of the two countries there are also many agreements that will be followed up.

In terms of attracting foreign investment, Indonesia competes with Vietnam, Thailand and other countries, what kind of facilities are provided by the government for investors?

The President himself has warned about Vietnam, how come it can attract more investment. That's why the various obstacles to investment are trying to be eliminated through the Ciptaker Law. Now what is still homework is the gap between policy and implementation. Then regarding the import of raw materials and auxiliary materials, actually we also want to reduce them but we cannot do it now, because we cannot produce if there are no raw materials. There is also the concept of TKDN (domestic component level) that is applied, the concept is very good but we don't want goods that are manufactured to cost more so that the price is expensive. So our industry must be prepared for all of this.

So to compete, there are indeed many things that can be done. Why is production in China cheap because the economics factor is very high? If there is no cost efficiency, we will be high and we cannot compete with other countries. Our electricity prices are the highest, our labor wages are also the highest in ASEAN. So we are not competitive.

In developed countries, employers have no problem paying expensive labor costs because they can generate much higher revenue than their wages. In Indonesia this is not the case, because the increase in wages is based more on an increase in the cost of living, not an increase in labor productivity. So the labor market figures (workers are paid nicely if their productivity is higher) don't work.

 

Balance Management ala Shinta Widjaja Kamdani

For Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, to be healthy is not only physically, but also mind, body and soul. (Photo by Savic Rabos, DI Raga VOI)

There are many ways to unwind and engage in activities that distract you from your daily routine. Since childhood, General Chairperson of the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (Apindo) Shinta Widjaja Kamdani has been fond of dancing. In addition to these activities, she is also active in social activities that can balance her life.

“I have always believed that life must be balanced. In work, household, social life with friends, are all important. I also believe that health is not only physical, but also mind, body and soul. So, spirituality is also very important," said the woman who was born in Jakarta, February 9, 1967.

Shinta since childhood had a hobby of dancing. “From childhood, I loved dancing. I studied Javanese traditional dance, Balinese, etc. Then also studied ballet and modern dance. Because of my hobby, I have become a dance choreographer,” admits this woman who likes to read book.

While continuing her studies in New York, apart from her main task of studying, she also developed her dancing talent. “New York is a city that is very friendly with the world of arts such as dance. I was able to create dance choreography that combines Western and Eastern elements in my work. That is the uniqueness that not many choreographers create, combining traditional and modern elements,” said the alumnus of Barnard College of Columbia University and Harvard Business School.

If there is free time, she will dance. “Not for show but more to please myself. Doing my hobby makes me happy,” said Shinta, who had never thought of becoming a professional dancer or choreographer.

Why not put on a show? "Frankly, I don't have enough time to train people who will do the dance performances that I created," she admits.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Shinta still had time once a year to make music and dance choreography. “Before the pandemic, I still had time to gather ambassadors and officials in Jakarta to participate in the dance performances that I created. But now there is no time," said Shinta doing everything for cultural diplomacy.

Creativity Element

Since childhood, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani has been fond of dancing. This habit continues to this day, although not as a professional dancer. (Photo by Savic Rabos, DI Raga VOI)

From the dance world, does it have anything to do with the business world you are currently engaged in? "Directly it has nothing to do with it. However, there is one similarity that can be applied by both business and art. Namely creativity. Between creativity and how we express it. It's the same in many ways in the business sector, we also need a lot of innovation," said Shinta who also likes culinary hunting when traveling to a city or country.

At Sintesa Group, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani developed 4E (Four Ever); namely Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Excellence, and Empathy. “I took these four elements from my parents. Where we are taught to be independent, don't forget where we come from. We carry what we inherit for our lives in the future,” she said, adding that we must be able to appreciate life, even if it's small.

Since childhood too, Shinta has been taught by her parents to be independent. “We were taught not to depend on others, to stand on our own feet. Since childhood, my father taught me hard, maybe he hoped I could continue the family business," she said.

Why does empathy become a culture of Synthesis, because we are not alone in life. "Because of that we have to care about the environment around us," said the wife of Irwan Kamdani President Director of PT. Datacrip.

And don't forget to share. Through organization and other activities. "It's time for us to give back to our surroundings through the organization and the country. What is our contribution as citizens for this nation and country," said the mother of Syailendra Kamdani, Ileria Katya Kamdani, Abyasa Kamdani and Latissa Kamdani.

Strict Education

As the daughter of the owner of a family company, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani is not spoiled, on the contrary, she faces bigger challenges than other employees. (Photo by Savic Rabos, DI Raga VOI)

Even though Shinta Widjaja Kamdani is the daughter of the owner of the company, she, who started her career from the bottom up in one of her family's companies, is treated the same as any other employee. “Even I was educated harder. I still remember my boss who was a foreigner, he said that you are the owner's daughter, you have to work more and prove your best," recalled Shinta.

Shinta treads her career from stage one to the next with even harder. “I really started my career from the bottom, then went up from one level to another harder than an ordinary employee. The problem is I have to get out of my parents' shadow if I am the owner's child,” said Shinta who will apply the same thing to one of her children who is now working at the Sintesa Group.

After 10 years of work, she was at a crossroads, whether to continue the family business or start her own business. "The problem is that this family business is no longer in line with my vision. I say so far it has been a good worker. It's time for me to change into a work partner,” said Shinta, who had a long debate with her parents.

After agreeing with her parents, Shinta consolidated into a family business group. Adding new divisions and removing business fields that are too far from the core business. Until now, Sintesa has been built on four main pillars: Energy, Consumer Products, Industrial Products, and Property.

“I made a transformation from a family business to a business with professional management. Between family and business affairs must be separated. You see, I want the company to be sustainable for a hundred years or even more if possible. I don't want us to stop here,” said Shinta Widjaja Kamdani locking in the conversation.

"Stunting is important so that we can get good quality human resources. How are we going to achieve Golden Indonesia if there are still many Indonesian children suffering from malnutrition and stunting. So this stunting problem cannot only rely on the government to reduce it,"

Shinta Widjaja Kamdani