Erwin Aksa new HIPMI chairman

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 07/21/2008 10:34 AM | Business

Erwin Aksa has been elected chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) after receiving an overwhelming majority of votes in Sunday's congress in Bali.

Winning 104 of 165 votes cast, Erwin comfortably beat out rivals Bagus Haryono, Ridwan Mustofa and Novita Dewi.

Erwin will take over from Sandiaga S. Uno, HIPMI chairman for the past three years.

"I intend to establish an executive board comprised of the best people from all the regions," Erwin, CEO of Bosowa Corporation, said as quoted by Antara.

A South Sulawesi native, Erwin graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is an active member of the provincial branch of the Indonesian Tennis Association and the PSM Makassar soccer team.

HIPMI was established in 1972 as a networking and development arena primarily for under-40-year-old business people.

It is often perceived as a breeding ground for up and coming entrepreneurs, many of whom have risen to become political figures. They include former manpower minister Abdul Latief, House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono and Investment Coordinating Board chairman Muhammad Lutfi.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla -- who is also Erwin's uncle -- urged the association's members to reject the unethical practices of older generations of businessmen.

"If you want to be a pioneer, don't sell out your country," he said.