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Jakarta Post

Big names gone AWOL on ‘Forbes’ global list

The latest international Forbes’ rich list has presented its own set of surprises for Indonesian business magnates

Mariel Grazella (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, March 9, 2012

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Big names gone AWOL on ‘Forbes’ global list

T

he latest international Forbes’ rich list has presented its own set of surprises for Indonesian business magnates. The names of several crème de la crème tycoons, which had previously perched in the 17 topmost branches, have gone missing.

The first obvious absentee is Susilo Wonowidjojo, the president commissioner and owner of clove-cigarette producer, Gudang Garam.

In the December edition of Forbes’ 40-richest people in Indonesia, Susilo and his US$10.5 billion wealth was second only to the combined wealth of the Hartono brothers, R. Budi and Michael. According to the December list, the two brothers, who own cigarette manufacturer Djarum and also control 20-percent shares in Bank BCA, were estimated to be worth $14 billion.

Yet, in the international list, which includes 17 of Indonesia’s richest, Susilo’s name was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Budi, with assets amounting to $6.5 billion, and Michael, with his wealth of $6.3 billion, are now Indonesia’s two richest people. The size of their coffers also puts them at 146th and 157th, respectively, on the global 2012 Billionaire List.

Another glaringly absent name is that of Eka Tjipta Widjaja. In just four months, his name went from number three to nowhere. He has been replaced by Bayan Resources’ asset holder Low Tuck Kwong, who was one step behind Eka in the December ranking.

The name of Salim Group head Antoni Salim has suffered a similar fate. His slot in fifth place has been usurped by Sukanto Tanoto, who holds ownership of Pacific Oil and Gas, among other businesses in the paper and palm oil sector.

Two more names not on the list of 17 are Putera Sampoerna, founder of Sampoerna Strategic, and Boenjamin Setiawan, founder of the largest publicly traded pharmaceutical company in Southeast Asia, Kalbe Farma.

The absence of these several names has made room for new faces to populate the top 17 list.

Harry Tanoesoedibjo, who runs PT MNC Sky Vision, made a considerable jump from 22nd place to 14th as his coffers grew from $1.19 billion to $1.3 billion. The man also earned the 960th ranking globally.

Also new to the global club is Adaro Energy head, Garibaldi Thohir, who with a wealth of $1.2 billion, is just one step behind Harry.

Other newcomers besides Garibaldi are Theodore Rachmat, with assets of $1.1 billion, and Djoko Susanto with assets worth $1 billion.

On a global scale, Carlos Slim Helu takes first place with his $69 billion, trailed by the world’s former richest man, Bill Gates, with $61 billion. Li Ka-Shing secured the title of the ninth wealthiest man in the world and number one in Asia, with $25.5 billion.

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