Indonesian tradition has it that when we cut the top of a tumpeng and give that part to someone else, we are in fact passing on our well wishes for a continued success towards a common goal. The tumpeng is then distributed around for all to enjoy, showing the sense of unity and commitments in working together to reach common objectives.

Witnessed by a full-house audience of more of about 300 Indonesian professionals and VIP guests from Indonesian organisations, the outgoing IPA President, Dr Augus TK Lee did just that and gave it to the incoming IPA President 2008/2009, Mr Johannes Wijaya at the Inauguration Night of Indonesian Professionals’ Association (IPA) on Saturday, 30 August, as a symbolic gesture to show leadership succession and the handing over of power and responsibility of helming the organisation.

In that one second, IPA broke into a new era under the management of a newly inaugurated committee.

The evening’s programme started very much on schedule at 6.40 pm, thanks to enthusiastic guests arriving an hour even before the stipulated time, to register themselves and get the best view of the evening’s proceedings at Kedutaan Besar Republic Indonesia’s (Singapura) Riptaloka Hall, despite the earlier wet and stormy weather.


Full house of 300 guests at IPA Inauguration Night 2008

After a grand entrance of the two Masters of Ceremony Mr Cay Indra and Mr Etu, the evening started with a speech by Dr Lee.

“IPA was set up during the financial crisis in 1998,” Dr Lee started. “It was quite normal to see friends gather together during times of difficulties.”

Throughout the years, he saw IPA grow from a meeting place between friends to develop into a platform where Indonesian professionals in Singapore share information and provide help to fellow country members settling down here, he continued.

As such for the future, Dr Lee hopes that the new IPA would continue to be a platform for Indonesian professionals in Singapore to develop themselves and to in turn provide career opportunities for fellow Indonesians.

And opportunities are exactly what the new IPA offers to the current members and potential interested parties, as Mr Wijaya shared in his first speech as the new president.

“This is a new era for IPA. The new IPA believes that we all can make a difference. But these opportunities to make a difference to oneself and society will not come by themselves; one should be ready to step forward to take initiatives and calculated risks instead,” he pointed out, adding that the current committee members are all volunteers who gave their time willingly to contribute back to the Indonesian professionals’ community in Singapore.

Mr Wijaya added: “IPA as a platform of personal development provides infrastructure and facility support to encourage individuals to realise their talents and potentials, whatever they may be.”

Emphasising on IPA’s tagline of infinite networks he continued, “It is chosen to represent our belief in the infinite potential of the organisation to reach people. This is not only limited to the Indonesian society in Singapore, but it can extend to the whole world. With many of us being in Singapore for so long, some of us may have lost touch of what happens back home.

“IPA with its infinite networks aims to be a meeting place for Indonesian professionals in Singapore to exchange ideas and thoughts. We hope to contribute back to Indonesia what we have gained here,” Mr Wijaya concluded. For the full message in Bahasa Indonesia, please

Guest-of-honour for the evening, the Indonesian Ambassador for Singapore, His Excellency Bapak Wardana, was up next to address the audience. Emphasising on the opportunities for Indonesians abroad to give back what they have achieved and learnt in their careers and education overseas, he said: “You don’t have to return home to serve your country. We believe that it is possible for you to contribute more by staying abroad, by being somebody important in your company or organisation, and one day being in a decision-making position to give back to the country, by deciding to invest in Indonesia, for example.”

Concluding his speech which saw the audience responding warmly to jokes peppered throughout, he reminded all present: “Whatever you do abroad, please do not only think of the negative aspects of your country. Always spread the good news of developments in Indonesia instead.”


L-R: Bapak Wardana, Mr Johannes Wijaya, Dr Augus TK Lee

New logo, new website
After a brief introduction of the new IPA

, the night also shows the official launch of the new IPA logo and officialwebsite.


A momentous launch of the new IPA logo by Bapak Wardana (R) and Mr Wijaya

The brainchild of IPA VP of Public Relations & Publicity Ms Irena Josoeb and Graphic Designer Ms Shirley Lie, the revamped logo consists of two elements – the first being the map of Indonesia superimposed by a human-bridge, linking all the Indonesian islands in one cohesive stance and encircled by the name of “Indonesian Professionals’ Association”. The bottom of the ring shows the IPA infinity link to complete the circle of connectivity.

The second component is made up of a bold font emblazoning the acronyms IPA, symbolising the daring vision as flanked at the bottom of the acronym, “Infinite Networks”. The tagline encompasses the goal of IPA to creating a lifestyle of limitless possibilities for fellow Indonesians professionals in Singapore, in building the right social and professional linkages in the most creative ways. The red circle atop the “I” brings emphasis that it all starts with “I” to begin a journey of “Infinite Networks”.

“(The new logo) is to reflect the new dynamism and fresh new zest that have been injected into the group through the inauguration of an all-new team and the renewing of its vision to continue the traditions of connecting fellow Indonesian professionals in Singapore,” Ms Josoeb explained as she indicated to the audience how the elements of the new logo came and worked together.

VP of Information Technology Johnny Wijaya then took the stage to introduce the revamped IPA website which now has an unmistakably more dynamic and contemporary ambience.

The website at www.indoprof.com aims to be a one-stop centre for information for Indonesian professionals in Singapore, Mr Wijaya said.

“We shall achieve this by providing useful information for Indonesian friends who are thinking of settling down in Singapore, for example. We also highlight the achievements of fellow Indonesians here,” he shared.


Mr Johnny Wijaya presents the new IPA website and its upcoming features

A night for all to enjoy
The evening follow with a scrumptious buffet dinner reception as provided by our sponsors while the band Nico & Friends entertained with their excellent line-ups of Indonesian and English songs for all to enjoy the night away amidst constant discussions and networking.

There was also a presentation by the IPA Events VP, Ms Utari Listiyani and also Events Deputy VP, Mr Azhar Risyard on the upcoming IPA activities, together with a video telecast video on IPA’s humble and simple beginnings in Singapore and how it grew to the association it is today due to its ambitious vision of linking all Indonesian professionals in Singapore together, as related by previous and current main committee members and showcasing the best of IPA memories.

Thereafter was a presentation of certificates of appreciation to Dr Lee, previous IPA main committee members of IPA – such Mr Fernando Tjia and Mr Joko Yuwono – and also to sponsors of the event, by Mr Johannes Wijaya.


Nico & Friends entertaining guests and VIPs with well-executed English and Indonesian songs

IPA hosts then continued to mingle with guests, initiating a new host opportunities and new initiatives. The night ended gracefully at about 10pm to the tunes of the band, marking the end of two months of preparation by the Inauguration Night events team headed by Ms Listiyani, and marking a new wave of possibilities for the association in the coming years ahead.


New IPA Main Committee with new dedicated volunteers and helpers in full force.

For more photos, Click here!

IPA Inauguration Night 2008 is kindly supported by KBRI Singapura and sponsored by MD. Kitchen, Pagi Sore Indonesian Restaurant, Resto Surabaya, Waroeng Penyet, and Foodgle Hub.

(Photos by Herryanto Siantono and Ng Han Liong. Video by Robby Tandra.)

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