Noble Group’s Investments in Indonesia

Jan 21, 2014 | Profiles

Noble Group Ltd, one of the region’s major players in resources business, has acquired 100% shares in PT WHS Maritime Investment, which has involved in disputes with directorate general of customs and excise at ministry of finance. At the same time, Noble divested its...

Jokowi and Flood Politics

Jan 21, 2014 | Profiles

In November 2013, we published an article about the possible political backlash that could hit the Governor of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, should the capital city get severely inundated. Sure enough, now that some parts of the city are immersed due to...

Adaro Energy: Debt Pressures & Politics

Jan 20, 2014 | Profiles

David Tendian, CFO of Adaro Energy (ADRO), predicted in May 2013 that coal prices would recover in the fourth quarter of 2013 to US$95-100 per ton. We all know that price of the commodity stopped falling in the quarter, but the benchmark price of Indonesian coal was...

SKK Migas Case: Waryono Karyo Suspect, Who’s Next?

Jan 20, 2014 | Profiles

Six months have passed since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested the head of the powerful Upstream Oil & Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas) Rudi Rubiandini under the suspicion of receiving bribes. A lot has happened since then. One of the...

Salim Group & Mineral Smelting Business

Jan 16, 2014 | Profiles

Salim Group, a diversified business empire controlled by Anthoni Salim, is among aggressive players in mineral business in the country. Other than its gold exploration business through ASX-listed Robust Resources Ltd, Salim Group is growing its iron & steel...

Rusdi Kirana and Politics (Part II)

Jan 15, 2014 | Profiles

Politics can end up being a very gruelling battlefield. But many are willing to take the risk given the multitude of rewards they can bring home if they could play their cards well. A few business people enter into politics precisely for these reasons. They are get in...

Rusdi Kirana and Politics (Part I)

Jan 15, 2014 | Profiles

The Chief Executive Officer of Lion Air, Rusdi Kirana, joined the National Awakening Party (PKB) last week. This is really interesting for a number of reasons. The timing is interesting given that we are only a few months away from April’s legislative election and...

Bumi Resources Debt Restructuring

Jan 10, 2014 | News Group, Profiles

Bumi Resources (BUMI)’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of shareholders on December 20, 2013 failed to reach a quorum and was adjourned until today, January 10, 2014. As you know, Asia Resource Minerals Plc (previously Bumi Plc), owner of 29% shares in BUMI,...

Restaurateur: Arief Wirawangsadita

Jan 6, 2014 | News Group, Profiles

In less than 10 years, Arief S Wirawangsadita managed to open more than 60 outlets of Bumbu Desa restaurants in Indonesia and provide jobs for more than 4,000 people. The restaurant, which mainly serves Sundanese cuisine, managed to grow beyond West Java. How many of...

Sukanto Tanoto & Other Stories

Jan 6, 2014 | News Group, Profiles

Tycoon Sukanto Tanoto has been under substantial pressures from Indonesian authorities in the past few years related to the plantation business Asian Agri. These pressures, however, didn’t prevent the tycoon from expanding his business, especially overseas,...