ASHRAE Insights

By Vincent Tse, Fellow ASHRAE, ASHRAE Vice President

The Indonesian Chapter is the 7th chapter in Region XIII as of  Nov. 27, 2007.

The first communication with ASHRAE members in Indonesia on chapter formation dated back to 2001 when Region XIII past DRC Raymond Wong contacted John Budi Listijono in Jakarta. However, they were not successful in generating interest, as there were fewer than 50 members.

Region XIII is thankful to those who have contributed great effort in the creation of this new chapter over the last two years.

Persons instrumental in the formation of the Indonesia Chapter include J. J. Luthan and Wiria Chakradinata of Indonesia Chapter, past DRC CS Ow, Past Singapore Chapter President Albert Sin and RVC Yim Hon Wah and DRC Robert Hu of Region XIII.

The existence of ASHRAE Indonesian Chapter was made official on Nov. 27, 2007, when ASHRAE Vice President Vincent Tse handed over the gavel to the Indonesian Chapter’s first President, J. J. Luthan during the Chartering Night.

About 80 people attended the event including past DRC CS Ow, RVCs Wichai Laksanakorn and Den Low, and Distinguished Lecturer Jim Calm.

In addition, ASHRAE also supported the Indonesian Chapter in organizing a two-day technical seminar with topic entitled How Far You Can Save This Blue Sky? as well as a one-day seminar as a parallel event to the Kyoto Protocol COP Meeting in Bali. Sixteen papers relating to sustainability, government policy on national refrigerant phase-out programs and available technologies to substitute ODS refrigerant in building sector were presented to the more than 120 attendees.

In both seminars, Distinguished Lecturer Calm delivered a presentation on the prospects of having refrigerants that can satisfy the guidelines of both the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols.

On Nov. 26, past DRC CS Ow, RVC Den Low and Wichai also conducted an introductory talk on ASHRAE organization to all Indonesian members in the seminars.

Overall, both seminars and the Chartering Night were a great success. A lot of supporters and potential chapter officers were observed in the new Indonesian Chapter. Further growth of the Chapter in both members and activities is promising for the foreseeable future.