APINDO Tulungagung Appoints New Chairwoman, Novi Hanifah Aims to Attract Investors and Expand Job Training Programs
Friday, 16 October 2026
TULUNGAGUNG, EAST JAVA — The Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) in Tulungagung Regency, East Java, is now led by Novi Hanifah, a female entrepreneur and owner of Kiran Gallery Tulungagung.
Novi succeeds outgoing chairman Nur Wakidun following a leadership transition process held after a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Wina Joglo on Jalan Jayeng Kusumo, Tulungagung.
The entrepreneur specializing in shibori and ecoprint fabrics will lead APINDO Tulungagung for the 2026–2031 term.
Novi also brings strategic organizational experience, having served as Vice Chairwoman for Women's Affairs at the Tulungagung branch of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).
"Both organizations are expected to contribute to Tulungagung's development and progress," Novi said in a phone interview on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Novi revealed that she had previously held discussions with Heru Tjahjono, former Regent of Tulungagung and a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).
APINDO and Kadin are often perceived as organizations whose interests and positions are not always aligned.
Against this backdrop, Novi was encouraged to serve as a bridge between the two organizations, helping them build stronger synergies and work together to advance Tulungagung.
"Many Kadin members are also APINDO members. We have been encouraged to avoid the kind of divisions seen in other regions, where the two organizations do not work in alignment," she added.
Regarding proposals for the Regency Minimum Wage (UMK), Novi declined to comment at this stage, explaining that she had only recently assumed the position and needed more time to study the issue.
Instead, she emphasized the importance of creating a conducive business climate in Tulungagung, particularly by attracting new investors.
She stressed that this effort required collective involvement from business owners, the local government, and even local social media influencers.
"Influencers, for example, can help promote our tourist destinations and generate wider public attention, encouraging investors to come in and create new employment opportunities," she emphasized.
APINDO Tulungagung also plans to expand vocational training programs to develop a more skilled workforce in the region.
One of the initiatives will involve collaboration with the local Job Training Center (Balai Latihan Kerja or BLK) to organize training courses in areas such as barista skills, electrical work, and bridal makeup.
"We want to develop new skilled workers so that when business owners within APINDO need qualified personnel, we can help provide them," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Ardian Candra, Head of the Tulungagung Regency Office of Manpower and Transmigration (Disnakertrans), expressed his support for APINDO's organizational restructuring.
The former Head of the Culture and Tourism Office hopes that APINDO will take a more active role in providing policy recommendations to the Tulungagung Regency Government, particularly in areas related to human resource development and empowerment.
Candra also highlighted APINDO's strategic role in the process of determining the Tulungagung Regency Minimum Wage (UMK).
"APINDO will be responsible for submitting the UMK proposal. We hope this will make coordination even more effective going forward," he said.
Source: Tribunnews Jatim
