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Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan) – The Indonesian Employers Association (Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia / APINDO) South Kalimantan hosted a courtesy visit from the Board of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gabungan Pengusaha Kelapa Sawit Indonesia / GAPKI) South Kalimantan on Thursday (October 16, 2025). The visit aimed to strengthen synergy between business organizations in addressing the evolving challenges of the labor market and industrial sector.

The meeting was attended by the core board members of GAPKI South Kalimantan, including the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Head of Secretariat, and Advisory Team. From APINDO’s side, attendees included Winardi Sethiono, Chairperson of APINDO South Kalimantan; Abdul Haris Makkie, Secretary; Noorhalis Majid, Vice Chair for Organizational Affairs; Antonius Simbolon, Head of the Manpower Division; and Rafiqah, Head of Secretariat.

In his welcoming remarks, Winardi Sethiono, Chairperson of APINDO South Kalimantan, expressed appreciation for GAPKI’s visit. He emphasized that GAPKI plays a vital role within APINDO’s ecosystem by contributing significantly to job creation, particularly in the palm oil plantation sector.

“APINDO strives to embrace all business associations, including GAPKI and its members, under one unified umbrella. When business players stand together, shared understanding and commitment to APINDO’s core mission — creating employment opportunities — will naturally emerge,”
said Winardi.

He further stressed that strengthening policy advocacy is crucial to ensuring that businesses can operate without regulatory barriers.

“We are committed to promoting policies that support both entrepreneurs and workers so that the goal of expanding job opportunities can truly be achieved,”
he added.

Meanwhile, Julian, Head of GAPKI South Kalimantan’s Advisory Team, highlighted how rapid technological advancements have transformed industrial dynamics. According to him, many companies are now replacing human labor with machines in pursuit of efficiency, leading to job reductions.

“From a business standpoint, automation increases efficiency. However, it also reduces employment opportunities. We hope APINDO can act as a bridge between the government and business actors to find balanced solutions — ensuring that technological progress does not suppress job creation,”
Julian stated.

Edy Sapta Binti, Chairperson of GAPKI South Kalimantan, also raised concerns regarding government policies on land regulation. He noted that approximately 3.7 million hectares of land in Indonesia have been reclaimed by the state due to alleged irregularities — including land that remains active and legally licensed.

“These lands actually hold great potential for job creation. We hope for legal certainty and protection for companies that operate in compliance with regulations,”
Edy explained.

During the engaging discussion, other key issues were also brought forward, including ease of doing business, high costs and complexity of environmental permits (AMDAL), consistency in implementing the Investment Law, and the need to enhance human resource competencies. GAPKI expressed its hope that APINDO could act as an effective intermediary between business stakeholders and local governments to foster a more conducive and competitive business climate in South Kalimantan.

“We want South Kalimantan to be a model region for investment-friendly policies that prioritize job creation, particularly in the plantation sector,”
concluded Edy.

Source: kalsel.pikiran-rakyat.com