“Big wealth comes with big responsibility. Philanthropy is not mere alms, but a lifetime commitment.”

That sentence was displayed on a big screen in a hall at Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday. It is a quote from tycoon and philanthropist Dato Sri Tahir, which he abides by when engaging in philanthropy.

The founder of diversified Mayapada Group gave a speech during an event held by the university to honor him with an honorary doctorate for his contribution to the country’s economic development, his fourth honor so far.

Tahir, who was on Wednesday named the fourth-richest man in Indonesia by Forbes magazine, called on his fellow magnates to realize their pivotal roles in the country’s development. Businesspeople should not only engage in the investment climate but also ease the government’s weight in many other sectors such as education, health and employment, he said.

“Those are some of the responsibilities that we must take as moguls because we have enjoyed all the facilities. Businesspeople should not only enjoy the benefits,” Tahir said on the sidelines of the event.

The 65-year-old founder of the Tahir Foundation delivered an academic speech highlighting Indonesia’s economic potential to compete on a global level. In his speech, the Surabaya-born Tahir said in order to achieve, the government needed to give incentives to companies and consumers using renewable energy in various industries.

Speaking to journalists, the son-in-law of property and banking mogul Mochtar Riady said he would help Airlangga University forge cooperation with other universities overseas to boost Indonesia’s competitiveness in the higher education sector.

Tahir is one of Indonesia’s leading philanthropists, having been involved in many various social organizations and public charities. He has donated more than US$100 million to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2014 to support efforts to combat major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, polio and malaria. Through the Tahir Foundation, he has also donated a total of $14 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2016 to support education and facilities for refugee children.

The foundation’s latest donation was $250 million to be disbursed within five years for public empowerment programs in cooperation with Gadjah Mada University and Muhammadiyah, the country’s second-biggest Muslim organization, earlier this month.

For Tahir, who, according to Forbes magazine is worth $3.5 billion, he did not think about how much money he would donate to good causes.

“It will not be a problem if I hand over all of my wealth for the welfare of Indonesia. I come from a less fortunate family and I have experienced it all,” he said.

He also plans to visit Jordan and Iraq this month with his foundation to give aid and visit refugees staying in shelters.

As the first eminent advocate from Asia for the UNHCR, he also plans to help Syrian refugees get back on their feet by providing microloans for those who were stripped from their source of income due to the prolonged war.

Airlangga University rector Muhammad Nasih commended Tahir for his generosity and contribution to the country.

“If only there were 10 conglomerates having commitment like Tahir, I am sure it would be easier for us to reach social equality,” he said.

Besides the university’s top officials, the event was also attended by top ministers such as Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Manpower Minister Hanif Dakhiri and Attorney General HM Prasetyo.

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