BANJARMASIN – Dr. (HC) H. Sahbirin Noor, S.Sos, M.H.—popularly known as Paman Birin and a holder of an 8th Dan Karate rank—was elected Chairman of the Council of Masters (Dewan Guru) for the Indonesian Karate-Do Institute (Lemkari) for the 2026–2031 term on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The election event, held at a star-rated hotel in Banjarmasin, was part of the agenda of the Lemkari Executive Board (PB Lemkari). It followed the recent Lemkari 2026 Congress at Kiram Park, South Kalimantan, which had also resulted in Paman Birin’s election by acclamation as the General Chairman of PB Lemkari, with support from representatives across Indonesia.
According to the election organizing committee chairman, H. Achmad Maulana, the selection process for the Council of Masters Chairman utilized a voting system involving Lemkari Council of Masters members representing specific zones, each holding one representative vote. These representatives were: Shihan Marine Major Baidir (5th Dan, West Sumatra) for the Sumatra zone; Shihan Herman Iwan Linelejan (6th Dan, East Java) for the Java zone; Shihan A.R. Halim (6th Dan, South Sulawesi) for the Sulawesi zone; Shihan Rusli Amiluddin (5th Dan, Ambon) for the Ambon & Papua zone; and Shihan Palono (5th Dan, South Kalimantan) for the Kalimantan zone.
He explained that the event proceeded smoothly, orderly, and democratically. Paman Birin was elected Chairman of the Lemkari Council of Masters, surpassing the other candidate, Dr. Neneng Nurosi Nurasjati, M.Pd., with a final tally of 4 votes for Shihan H. Sahbirin Noor against 1 vote for Shihan Neneng Nurosi Nurasjati. The newly elected Chairman of the Lemkari Council of Masters, Shihan H.
Sahbirin Noor—a holder of the 8th Dan rank—emphasized the need for Council members to effectively carry out their duties. He stressed the importance of maintaining constant communication and coordination with Lemkari chairpersons across all regions and zones to prevent issues that could lead to division.
“Starting today, let us unite our efforts to revitalize Lemkari and restore its vigor.”
Following the election, a member of the Council of Masters—who also held a voting mandate for the Ambon and Papua zones—expressed his enthusiasm regarding the appointment of “Paman Birin” as Chairman.
“Praise be to God, we have successfully concluded the election for the Chairman of the Council of Masters today. With the election of H. Sahbirin Noor, we certainly hope for positive changes within Lemkari; we aim to reunite and move forward together for the glory of the organization,” said Shihan Rusli Amiluddin, a 5th Dan Karateka.
The Deputy Governor, who also serves as the Chairman of the South Kalimantan KONI (National Sports Committee of Indonesia), H. Hasnuryadi Sulaiman, welcomed the election of Paman Birin as Chairman of the PB Lemkari Council of Masters for the 2026–2031 term.
“On behalf of myself, my family, and the South Kalimantan Provincial Government, I extend my congratulations and best wishes on Paman Birin’s election as Chairman of the Council of Masters. He is truly deserving of this role, given his ability to unite us all. I hope Lemkari continues to progress and achieves its goals—Amen,” said H. Hasnuryadi Sulaiman.
Daffa Ibrahim
