Trade Minister honors the late Liem Sioe Liong

Gita Wirjawan: Indonesian Trade Minister. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)

Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan praised the late country’s former richest tycoon Liem Sioe Liong, who passed away on Sunday in Singapore, for his legacy in bringing local products to the global audience.

Gita said that Liem, also known as Soedono Salim, was an accomplished businessman who successfully brought Indonesian products to the international scene.

“He was one of the few Indonesian businessmen to accomplish such things,” the minister told The Jakarta Post Monday.

Liem passed away at Raffles Hospital at around 3 p.m. local time on Sunday. He was 95 years old.

During the Soeharto era, Liem’s Salim Group became a household name thanks to Liem’s close relations with the late tyrant, which enabled him to create his business empire.

The Salim Group owns consumer goods company PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, the world’s largest noodle producer.

Liem, who was also the founder of Central Bank Asia (BCA), is survived by his wife Lie Las Nio and his four children Albert, Andre, Anthony and Mira.

His son Anthony is an heir to the Salim Group. (asa)