Among many Indonesian taipans who achieved
success and amazing worth net of wealth, Sukanto Tanoto is one of those
resilient business people who started his business kingdom 100 percent from the
bottom. From a youth who did not even finish school to business owner with
position among Forbes list of richest Indonesian people, Sukanto Tanoto prove
that hard work and resilience are big factors that determine success.
He also has many positive qualities; even now
he resides in Singapore to take care of his international business more easily,
he is still an Indonesian citizen who contributes greatly to Indonesia’s
economy. Despite what negative publications say, he is still a businessman who
contributes greatly to economy and prosperity of local communities around his
facility’s communities.
Sukanto
Tanoto’s Contribution to Local Economy
Sukanto Tanoto’s corporate group, Golden
Royal Eagle, has several companies that expand to several countries such as
Brazil, Norway, Singapore, China and Philippine. In Indonesia, his most famous
company is definitely the palm oil company Asian Agri. Besides producing palm
oil in huge quantity for various industries in Indonesia and other countries,
Asian Agri is also famous for its numerous social activities. Sukanto Tanoto
uses the CSR program budget of Asian Agri to some of amazing programs designed
to build resilience and independence of local communities around the facility.
For example, Asian Agri not only created high
quality oil palm seeds in its research center, but also introduced them to
local farmers so they can avoid loan sharks when trying to get high quality
seeds. Asian Agri also has training center to help local farmers upgrading
their knowledge and skill in oil palm cultivation. Also, the company helps
independent farmers getting sustainable certifications, building schools and
providing healthcare service for local communities.
Many local farmers who previously worked for
Asian Agri or got support from the company now earn financial independence.
Some opened their own business, while others are able to buy vehicles, start
family investment and send their kids to school. These alone prove that Sukanto
Tanoto is not just a rich businessman that leaves for Singapore without
thinking about local communities.
Recent
Activities of Sukanto Tanoto
The most recent activities of Sukanto Tanoto
through his CSR program and Tanoto Foundation include Proyek Sukacita in Riau
and the building of new pre-school in Jakarta for students from low income
families. The Proyek Sukacita involves ongoing education, social and healthcare
programs, and the new pre-school is aimed as an educational place where parents
can also be active in various activities to support their children’s learning.
Education has always become the main concern of Sukanto Tanoto’s various philanthropic
programs.
His recent activity also included scholarship
program for medical students at National University of Singapore, but this is
not simply a program for Singaporeans. Several of the scholarship recipients
were involved at the first steps of Proyek Sukacita, in which they came to
Indonesia and contributed their skills and knowledge while interacting in daily
basis with local communities. This proves that even though Sukanto Tanoto now
lives in and runs his business from Singapore, he is still a nationalistic
businessman that contributes well to his homeland and local communities.
