I

have known Pak Tahir for 30 years, but have only gradually become close friends in the last five years. I wanted to know him better, and to do that I read his biography (Dato'€™ Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir, Living Sacrifice, Alberthiene Endah), which is the story of his hard work. It took me two months to finish it, but it was time well spent.

Living Sacrifice is more than just a biography because it also explores his many views on his achievements. Pak Tahir has only recently become a phenomenon in Indonesia'€™s business sector and his popularity and achievements have attracted the curiosity of many people.

Many biographies focus on the success stories of the subject and are in many ways not balanced, failing to give readers the full story. Pak Tahir'€™s biography, on the other hand, provides an honest, balanced and critical narrative without being negative or deprecating. Readers can learn from his stories and achievements. It is the account of the life of an honest gentleman as well as of his family and the society he cares for. On top of that, the author has a wonderful writing style and choice of words, so the book also reads very well.

Four aspects of the biography stand out for me. One is his personal formation, beliefs and religion, which are the most important factors in his life and achievements. His family, especially his father and mother, played a critical role in his personal development, as is well explained in the book. His relationship with his wife and children is also based on the experiences of his personal development.

His belief in Indonesia and the Indonesian people is not simply rhetorical; he has expressed such faith his whole life, especially through his dedication to philanthropy in the healthcare sector. The reader will appreciate learning how he grew from a poor boy, full of uncertainties about life, to the man he was at the beginning of his professional life and on to what he has become through the dedication of his own beliefs, his family and his society, and above all how he has striven to maintain his personal integrity in all his efforts and deeds.

The second aspect is his relationship with his in-laws, especially his father-in-law, Mochtar Riady. Until a few years ago, I did not even know that he was the son-in-law of Pak Mochtar, another old friend, as I had thought that he married a niece of Pak Mochtar. On this delicate relationship he is honest and balanced in his story, as it is not an easy subject to discuss.

He expresses his appreciation for Pak Mochtar'€™s help in some of his business difficulties, albeit never having been invited into the inner circle of Pak Mochtar and his son'€™s family business. Although there was support as the son-in law of Pak Mochtar, there was never so much support for it to be counted as a factor in the success he has enjoyed.

He was never made part of Pak Mochtar'€™s main business. He regrets that somewhat because it was not the approach that he had expected from Pak Mochtar, as a father-in-law. But on the other hand he is also glad about his father-in-law'€™s attitude, because now he has achieved his own goals through his own hard work and effort.

The third aspect is his rise and achievements as a businessman, beginning in a small trading business as taught by his parents. Starting out as an inang-inang (middleman) he then became successful due to his ethics and hard work, and plenty of divine blessing. I interpret this part of the book as explaining the meaning of trust and hard work, and maintaining one'€™s dignity at all times, which I believe should be an important lesson for everybody, not only businessmen. It helps that this particular part of the book is very well written.

Those who wonder how Pak Tahir is so well-connected to government agencies and personalities, and suspect that this may be because of his '€œbusiness'€ connections with them will be disappointed. He explains with honesty in the biography that he has had no business dealings with any part of the government, although he had a few friends who helped him in the early days. They are friends whom he admires because he regards what they did as the correct duty of honest public servants.

The last aspect that stands out is his philanthropic activities, which must be considered as substantial and very brave in their pioneering contributions. His philanthropy has opened new ways for businesses and businessmen and has contributed a great deal to society and humanity. He especially pays attention to the health sector, in which he has teamed up with the world'€™s most important philanthropists, Bill and Melinda Gates.

It was Pak Tahir who started Indonesia'€™s participation in global health philanthropy; he has contributed US$110 million and has succeeded in adding a further $40 million from his close friends and business associates.

In conclusion, let me express my congratulations to Pak Tahir for his biography. Hopefully other leaders and personalities will follow his steps in describing in honest and balanced terms their lives and achievements for others to learn from and to follow. I count myself glad and honored to be numbered among his friends.
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The writer is vice chair, board of trustees, CSIS Foundation, Jakarta.