Lions in Indonesia are part of Lions Clubs International that serving in over 200 countries and geographic areas, our 48,000 clubs and around 1.4 million members are helping others and making communities better.
First Attempt
In 1962, P. Sugiharto, SH., former Indonesian Ambassador to India, tried to charter the first club in Indonesia. But his attempted was failed because at that time foreign organizations or those affiliated with foreign countries were still prohibited in Indonesia.
In 1968, as requested by Lions Clubs International, James Mc. Lardie, member of Lions Club Sydney Central and also International Secretary of LCI Constitutional Area Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Indonesia, came to Indonesia. He approached several high rank officer such as Indonesian Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adam Malik, and Chief of Indonesian Police Hoegeng. Three of them were not willing to support him due to the situation at that time which banned any international organization.
Australian Prime Minister at that time, John Gorton, also member of LC The Sea Lake in Victoria-Australia, asked Gordon Jockel, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia to help James Mc. Lardie. He arranged the meeting with Murray Claphan in Hotel Indonesia, the meeting that lead to Clive Williams. Clive Williams then convinced Soedharmono, Minister of State Secretary, that Lions Clubs is the largest service club organization in the world, does not interfere in politics, is not bound to any sect and can comply with the 1945 Constitution and its constitution and By-Laws.
First Chartered Club
Sudharmono suggested that Lions Clubs should start with small organization, that lead to the charter of Lions Club of Djakarta on 18th November 1969 in Petroleum Club Jakarta, approved in the same day by Lions Clubs International. Appointed as Charter President was BPH Bintoro and Lion Widiono as Charter Secretary. in 1981, this club were changed its name to Lions Club Jakarta Host, as requested by Lion T. Akip.
On 31st October 1971, Sudharmono arranged R.J. Uplinger, the International President of Lions Club International, to visit President Soeharto. Later, President Soeharto support the development of Lions Clubs in Indonesia, limited not more than 10% foreigners.
Second Chartered Club
On 17th Sep 1971, Lions Club Fremantle Australia sponsored the chartered of Lions Club Jakarta Metropolitan, as the second Lions Clubs in Indonesia. Appointed as Charter President was H. Eddy Kowara and Lion Julius Murthy as Charter Secretary, and some other members were transferred from Lions Club of Djakarta.
Third Chartered Club
Lion Bintoro, member of Lions Club of Djakarta, sponsored the third club in Indonesia, Lions Club Jakarta Kebayoran, on 17th September 1971, with Lion Bas Van Der Hoeven and Lion RM Hadjiwibowo as Charter President and Charter Secretary consecutively.
Since Indonesia had 3 clubs at that time, Lions Clubs International established the first zone (without a district) in Indonesia, and appointed Lion Bintoro as the Zone Chairperson. Lion Soedomo Soeparlan, member of Lions Club Jakarta Metropolitan, were appointed as International Representative for 5-year period.
Fourth Chartered Club
Lion Soedomo Soeparlan and Lion Clive Williams, member of LC Jakarta Metropolitan, sponsored the fourth club in Indonesia, Lions Club Medan (later were changed to Lions Club Medan Host), with Lion Suharto Sumatri as the Charter President and Lion Kusmuljanto Ongko as Charter Secretary.
Fifth and Sixth Chartered Club
On 13 June 1975, Lions Club Jakarta Kota were chartered, sponsored by Lions Club Jakarta Metropolitan. Later on, Lions Club Jakarta Kota sponsored the 6th club in Indonesia, Lions Club Bandung Raya.
With the total 6 clubs, Indonesia eligible to establish a provisional district (district code 307). Elected as the first District Governor 307 were Lion Bintoro and Lion RM Hadjiwibowo as District Secretary/Treasurer. The district cabinet consist of 2 zone: Lion Dr. A. Hidayat Lubis as Zone Chairperson Sumatera and Lion Dr. Soeharto as Zone Chairperson Java.
Full District 307
In period 1982-1983, the total Lions Clubs in Indonesia had reached 35 clubs and 1,250 members, as stated in the Constitution and By-Laws, Indonesia officially acknowledged as fully single district, District 307.
Nowadays, Indonesia known as Lions Clubs International Multi District 307, Constitutional Area 7 (including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Islands of the South Pacific). This Multi District 307 were divided into 4 Districts: 307 A1, 307 A2, 307 B1 and 307 B2.
We Serve..
- edited from various sources
One of the Multi District’s responsibility is creating the Magazine regarding Lions. Please feel free to access the Lions Magazine.