Prominent Indonesian businessman-cum-politician Sofjan Wanandi has been awarded the Bintang Mahaputera Nararya, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the country and its citizens.

Sofjan was among 29 recipients granted medals by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in a ceremony at the State Palace on Thursday. The award was part of the annual celebrations to mark the country’s Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 17.

According to the 2009 Titles, Honors and Awards Law, Bintang Mahaputera medals are bestowed on individuals with distinguished service in various fields that contribute greatly to the state and the nation’s development, welfare and prosperity.

Jimly Asshiddiqie, the deputy chief of the Titles, Honors and Awards Board, said Sofjan was chosen as an awardee thanks to his contributions to supporting businesses.

“While working as a businessman, his service through corporate social responsibility has helped many in our communities. He also went beyond the call-of-duty by serving for the government, which is not an easy thing to do for a businessman,” Jimly told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Sofjan was grateful for the award, as it showed that the government acknowledged his services for the country. The 78-year-old businessman said he would continue to serve the nation, as well as the people, despite his age.

“More importantly, the young generation should do the same. They should prove that they not only work for themselves, but also for the community and the nation. This should apply to every businessperson in the country, including the ones from minority groups,” he said.

Sofjan is currently serving as the chairman of Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s economic team.

Born in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, in 1941 to parents of Chinese descent, Sofjan has proven an influential businessman. Starting his business journey as the vice president of PT Dharma Kencana Sakti in 1974, he rose to become the chairman and CEO of the Gemala Group from 1980 to 1999.

His achievements in business led him to become the chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), as well as a deputy chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in the 2000s.

During his younger days in 1971, he helped build the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Jakarta-based research institute specializing in politics and the economy. He then helped establish the Prasetya Mulya Business School in 1982.

The medal is not the first award he received from the government. In 1995, Sofjan received two Satyalancana Awards for his services in social affairs and development.

He was also recently awarded two royal honors by the Swedish government and the emperor of Japan. The Swedish government conferred last year the Order of the Polar Star on Sofjan for his contribution to fostering trade and investment between Sweden and Indonesia. In 2017, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Stars by the emperor of Japan for his achievements in improving the Indonesian investment climate for both countries.

The President also awarded oil baron and Medco Energi founder Arifin Panigoro with the Bintang Mahaputera Nararya and other civilian honors, including the Bintang Jasa Utama to Maria Farida Indrati, the first female Constitutional Court justice, who is deemed to hold more progressive views than the other justices in the court.

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