JP/Ganug Nugroho AdiOne can’t choose to be born to Chinese, Javanese, Batak or any other parents. But God will always give us the choice to be men of virtue regardless of our ethnic origins in the sense of benefiting others and being willing to share with and help people in need,” said Sumartono Hadinoto.

He meant every word he said.

The man, born Khoe Liong Haow but called Martono, is a successful businessman now active in 19 social organizations engaged in helping people in distress. “I’m busy but I just go with the flow. Meeting people of various backgrounds is interesting. I’m doing all this with delight,” he added.

With the organizations he works with, Martono is usually present at relief efforts such as helping victims of floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, overcoming blood shortages at the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), or seeking food aid and s...