Chairul Tanjung is no ordinary businessman. To say that he has pulling power would be an understatement. Since the 49-year old entrepreneur hit the big time, he has continued to surprise with bold business moves.
The latest of these was the $60 million acquisition of Internet news portal Detik.com, which he is now transforming into a major digital news outfit. His business empire has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade, but it is his growing presence on the national political stage that makes him stand out. He is not affiliated with any political party, but politicians court him furiously.
He is not afraid to speak his mind, which at times infuriates those in high positions. His open ambitions create both fear and envy among his business rivals who know that there is no stopping him once he sets his mind to a plan. More than that he is not afraid to dream big and turn those dreams into reality. That is where his true power and influence lie, and for that reason he is Globe Asia’s Man of the Year.
“I want to be an agent of change,” the man affectionately known by his initials said. His company CT Corp has diverse media, entertainment, retail, mining, agriculture and banking brands and have become household names in the archipelago and beyond. He has revealed he is eyeing possibilities for expansion, in line with Indonesia’s economic boom. Chairul says CT Corp is aiming for 30 percent to 40 percent annual growth of its own.
“Maybe in about 10 or 20 years CT Corp can go public, but it must be listed on the Fortune 500 before an IPO can be done.” Chairul has made an effort to give back to his country, too. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono picked him to serve as head of the National Economic Committee (KEN), which is comprised of top economists and powerful business people.
However, Chairul’s closeness to national leaders has prompted questions about whether he might one day consider running for the presidency. “The answer is a big no because I have no intention at all of becoming president,” he said. “My main agenda is to expand CT Corp. We certainly want to become the market leader in every industry we enter. If everybody wants to be a politician, who will be running the businesses? And besides, I like being a businessman.” Globe Asia
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