Rosan Tells the Story of Being Bahlil's Campaign Motor when he Seized the Chair of HIPMI

JAKARTA - The Minister of Investment and Industrialization/Head of BKPM and Head of BPI Danantara Rosan Roeslani opened an old story when Bahlil Lahadalia advanced as the General Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association or HIPMI. Rosan admitted that he was one of the people who from the beginning dared to support Bahlil.

Rosan conveyed the story at the 50th anniversary of Bahlil and the launch of 10 books at the Jakarta Theater, Friday, August 7.

Rosan said that one day Bahlil came and expressed his desire to become the General Chairman of HIPMI.

"'Kanda, I want to be the Chairman of HIPMI Pusat. Please support me.' Without any hesitation, what I said, 'I fully support it,'" said Rosan.

According to Rosan, at that time there was not much support for Bahlil. He even called himself the only party who supported Bahlil.

"The only support is me, Mr. President. The others don't support," he said.

Rosan said Bahlil's competitors at that time had more capital, came from Jakarta, had large companies, and strong networks.

However, he admitted that he still believed Bahlil could win.

Rosan also said that he had helped organize Bahlil's nomination strategy.

"I was the master of the campaign, sir, at that time," said Rosan to President Prabowo Subianto who was present at the event.

He admitted that the fight for the position of HIPMI Chairman was not easy. Many parties, according to him, predicted that Bahlil would lose.

"Alhamdulillah successful, even though it was very difficult. Everyone said it would lose," he said.

Bahlil was finally elected as the General Chairman of HIPMI. Rosan assessed that hard work and the ability to read the situation were part of Bahlil's political journey at that time.