Economist appreciates Rachmat Gobel attending rivals' declaration

"It is a simple matter in fact but not every person or candidate can do it, even by attending the opponent's open event of the declaration," Faisal stated in Jakarta, Sunday.

According to him, Rachmat Gobel's move was remarkable, amid the difficulty of a role model and honesty to be realized by those who were running as candidates to steer a big organization such as the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

"It is the evidence that Rachmat Gobel has the moral superiority. I think Rachmat Gobel is indeed in his class as the most appropriate Kadin general chairman candidate and can be widely accepted by Kadin members," Faisal remarked.

Rachmat Gobel was known as a courteous and simple man, therefore, his personal capital had made his personal relationships with many parties, including the government, good and free from conflict.

"Rachmat Gobel is a reflection of a superior national businessman who became great with his determination and ability," he said.

The Seventh National Conference (Munas VII) of Kadin carries a theme of "Strengthening National and Regional Economic Competitiveness through Sustainable, Innovative and Strong Industrial Development".

The main agenda of the Munas was making the strategic work program formulation and electing Kadin general chairman for the coming five years, replacing the 2010-2015 leadership term of Suryo Bambang Sulistio in Kadin.

The Munas was scheduled to be opened by Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Monday (Nov. 23).

So far, two figures who had been active in Kadin have announced their candidacy as general chairman, namely businessman and former Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel and Kadin Deputy General Chairman for Banking and Finance, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.

Another candidate, Kadin Foreign Institution Cooperation Standing Committee Chairman Maxi Gunawan, has canceled his candidacy. Maxi supports and joins Rachmat Gobel.

Rachmat Gobel was formerly Kadin Deputy General Chairman for the Metal, Machine, Chemical and Electronics Industry during the leadership of Aburizal Bakrie, and, during Mohammad S Hidayat's leadership of Kadin, he was twice in succession entrusted as Kadin Deputy General Chairman for Industry, Technology and Marine Affairs.