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To build world’s best-ever capital, copy Canberra

By Phil Anderson, director and founder of Property Share Market Economics, and the writer of The Secret Life of Real Estate and Banking. The article is originally published in The Jakarta Post on September 14, 2019 Some years back in London, the enterprising duo of John Bird and Gordon Roddick hit upon an idea to… [Continue Reading]
Reaching Ritzy New Heights

By Natasha Gan Originally published in Indonesia Design Claiming the title of the world’s highest hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong surpasses others not just structurally, but in service and design too. At such a great height, the hotel undoubtedly has a killer view of Hong Kong, but the view inside is just as worthy of… [Continue Reading]
A Blend of East and West

By Aulia R. Sungkar Photos by Andhy Prayitno for MWP Studio and Accor Indonesia The writer is director of ALVEO and the article is originally published in Indonesia Design edition Nov-Dec 2019. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry under his belt, Garth Simmons has occupied varied positions ever since he first joined… [Continue Reading]
Best in Asia: The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards

Story by Aulia R. Sungkar; Photos by PropertyGuru Originally published in February-March 2019 edition of Indonesia Design Dubbed the region’s most prestigious mark of excellence for many sectors of the property industry, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards culminated its 13th year in the regional grand final in Bangkok. Indonesia Design witnessed this historic event where… [Continue Reading]
Swarovski: A Legacy to Continue

Story by Aulia R. Sungkar; Photos by Bagus Tri Laksono Originally published in August-September 2018 edition of Indonesia Design It has been more 123 years since Daniel Swarovski invented a crystal-cutting machine with high precision in Tyrol, Austria. Fast forward, Swarovski has not only successfully maintained its family ownership for five generations, but the giant is… [Continue Reading]
Ciputra: Developing to Empower the Next Generation

Interview by Aulia R. Sungkar Photos by Bagus Tri Laksono Originally published in the 14th anniversary edition of Indonesia Design, Dec 2017. The figure of Dr. (HC) Ir. Ciputra has inked in the history of property development in Indonesia. With over 50 years of property expertise under his belt, he has successfully built milestones with uncountable numbers of property… [Continue Reading]
Cosmas Batubara: National Housing Mastermind

Interview by Aulia R. Sungkar Photos by Bagus Tri Laksono Originally published in the 14th anniversary edition of Indonesia Design, Dec 2017. Cosmas Batubara is one of the most consistent figures when it comes to playing a role in the country’s property development. He once took roles as minister of public housing and minister of manpower during the late… [Continue Reading]
Hendro S. Gondokusumo: On the Right Track

Interview by Aulia R. Sungkar Photos by Bagus Tri Laksono Originally published in the 14th anniversary edition of Indonesia Design, Dec 2017 It has been more than four decades since Hendro S. Gondokusumo founded his property company in the early 1970s. He started his venture with construction of housing compound projects of Cilandak Garden Housing in South Jakarta… [Continue Reading]
Jean-Pierre Diserens – The Financial Visionary

Originally published in Registry Indonesia in Nov-Dec 2017 Indonesia is one of the economies the world has been eyeing on in the last few years. Also worth the mentioning is this world’s largest archipelago is seen as a country with remarkable resilience in the face of crisis. For instance, during the 2008-2009 crisis – which… [Continue Reading]
InterContinental Bandung: The Green Sanctuary

Words: Aulia R. Sungkar. Photos: Ricky Adrian. Originally published in Indonesia Design, Oct-Nov 2017 edition. Beautifully nestled on the hill of Dago Pakar, this InterContinental Hotel has become the pride of Bandung for its green design and natural surroundings, along with facilities that cater to those seeking leisure, MICE and wedding destinations. Heading northwest of… [Continue Reading]
Chris J. Umpleby: Leading with humanity

Text & photos: Aulia R. Sungkar. Originally published in The Jakarta Post, May 9, 2016 Property veteran Chris J. Umpleby emphasizes mutual respect to communicate differences toward building a solid team. Any good relationship is based on mutual respect and the ability to communicate, according to Chris J. Umpleby, general manager property of Senayan Square.… [Continue Reading]
Jean-Paul Agon: Leading the world of beauty

Words & photo: Aulia R. Sungkar Originally was published in The Jakarta Post on March 14, 2016. The chairman and CEO of L’Oréal Group talks about his global business strategies and dealing with digitalization. With an avuncular smile, Jean-Paul Agon greets The Jakarta Post in L’Oréal Indonesia’s head office in Jakarta’s central business district. “It’s… [Continue Reading]
Nadiem Makarim: Innovating ideas to revolutionize ‘ojek’

Words & photo: Aulia R. Sungkar Originally was published in The Jakarta Post on June 20, 2015. Young entrepreneur Nadiem Makarim opts for flexibility in managing a platform of transportation services. Motorcycle taxis, known as ojek, have become one efficient solution to Jakarta’s notorious traffic congestion. “When you are in a hurry and want to… [Continue Reading]
Destry Damayanti: Balancing work & care in democratic approach

Words & photo: Aulia R. Sungkar Originally was published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 18, 2016. Veteran economist Destry Damayanti combines her egalitarian style and work-care attitude to maintain a favorable leadership quality. The newly appointed commissioner at Indonesian Deposit Insurance (LPS), Destry Damayanti, peers down the surrounding cityscape from her office in Sudirman… [Continue Reading]
Batara Sianturi: Teamwork, passion & execution

Words & photo: Aulia R. Sungkar Originally was published in The Jakarta Post on August 10, 2015. Senior Citibanker Batara Sianturi builds stronger teamwork with his participative management approach. Sitting relaxed at his office in the South Jakarta Central Business District, Batara Sianturi, the newly appointed chief executive officer Citi Indonesia, smiles benignly. He has… [Continue Reading]
Built to last

Words: Aulia R. Sungkar Photos: Courtesy of Levi’s Originally was published in JPlus on April 19, 2015. Levi’s brand whiz Chip Bergh is bringing the blue jeans pioneer back to its glory with sustainability, innovation and social media approaches. How to take proper care of a pair of denims has been a subject of debate… [Continue Reading]
Herwidayatmo: Daring to make decisions to move forward

Words & photo: Aulia R. Sungkar Originally was published in The Jakarta Post on May 23, 2015. Veteran banker Herwidayatmo focuses on openness and firmness in capitalizing on his leadership savviness to take his team to the next level. With an avuncular smile, PaninBank president director Herwidayatmo welcomed The Jakarta Post into his office in… [Continue Reading]
Jérôme Lambert: Envisioning the mission to reach goals

Words & Photo: Aulia R. Sungkar Originally was published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 10, 2015. At the helm of luxury brand Montblanc, Jérôme Lambert is raising the bar with his visionary strategy. The chairman of famous brand Montblanc, Jérôme Lambert is staring at a new model of Bohême Collection. It’s the brand’s new… [Continue Reading]
Setyono Djuandi Darmono: Be bold to have big dreams!

Words: Sudibyo M. Wiradji Photo: Courtesy of PT Jababeka Tbk The original article was published in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 16, 2014. Setyono Djuandi Darmono, founder and president director of publicly listed developer PT Jababeka Tbk, believes in the power of mutual cooperation to materialize plans for large-scale project development. Fearing to face high… [Continue Reading]
Irwan Musry – Ahead of His Time

By Aulia R. Sungkar Originally published in the J-Plus edition of The Jakarta Post on April 26, 2015 Business leader Irwan Danny Musry shares his recipe for building his company, achieving success and his reverence for the “king”. Irwan Mussry has woven his way through Jakarta traffic from the airport on this Thursday morning to… [Continue Reading]
Redmer Schukken: Informality stimulates creativity and innovation

By Sudibyo M. Wiradji. Published in The Jakarta Post. Redmer Schukken, CEO of Ice House, adopts participatory management in a fun and informal working environment. An office on the third floor of a building in Jakarta has an open-air space where people can view some of the city’s skyscrapers and also the traffic flow below.… [Continue Reading]
Timothy Charles Parker: Sharpening business focus with pragmatic approach

Text & photo: Aulia R. Sungkar. Originally published in The Jakarta Post. Leading businessman Timothy Charles Parker uses a flexible management style to maintain his solid team in his luggage and travel wear empire. Envisioning a business goal takes a strategy drafted by the right people with clear direction, says Timothy ‘Tim’ Charles Parker, chairman… [Continue Reading]
Putting the Boot in

Words & photos: Aulia R. Sungkar. Originally published in JPlus of The Jakarta Post. Outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland is forging ahead the Asia Pacific region with the opening of new stores. Stewart Whitney is pointing at a pair of yellow, eight-hole boots at the Timberland’s recently-opened Bali store. “Last year we celebrated the 40th anniversary… [Continue Reading]
Joycelyn Ling: Using an attentive bedside manner for everybody’s satisfaction

By Prasiddha Gustanto. Originally published in The Jakarta Post. Meet a healthcare executive who aims for a pain-free experience in the workplace. Joycelyn Ling, chief operating officer of Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore, believes the role of leaders is to make the hospital workplace conducive to maximized care for patients. For her, ensuring this means streamlining… [Continue Reading]
Mark Germyn: Building bricks of success through human capital investment

Mark Germyn is leading with a people-based approach to establish a famous global theme park brand in Southeast Asia. With more than 40 years of management experience in the tourist and hospitality industries, Mark Germyn understands how an amusement park and tourist attraction should run. In his short visit to Jakarta, the general manager of… [Continue Reading]
Setiawan Mardjuki: Instilling appreciation for different cultures

Setiawan Mardjuki is shaping up locals to become internationally minded human resources that will contribute to the growth of hospitality properties. Indonesia has numerous resources and potential to advance its tourist sector, and Setiawan Mardjuki takes great delight in his role in the extensive development of the Tanjung Lesung Resort in Banten province. “We are… [Continue Reading]
Heading out for townships as alternatives to city living

With the country’s improved economy, Indonesia is experiencing a growing middle class with higher purchasing power parity. Correspondingly, a number of property developers are looking to capitalize on the abundant opportunities with integrated township developments taking shape on the outskirts of larger cities, such as Jakarta and Surabaya. To property developers, an independent city or… [Continue Reading]
Tigor M. Siahaan: Fostering innovation through open communication

Tigor M. Siahaan promotes his open leadership style to produce stronger human resources leading to greater innovation. It is important for a business leader to be able to listen attentively, as it can help to frame issues, according to Tigor M. Siahaan, chief country officer for Citi Indonesia. The first Indonesian to serve as a… [Continue Reading]
Todd Lauchlan: Creating egalitarian workplace to localize global approach

Top leaders of multinational companies operating in Indonesia incorporate local values into their global business perspectives, which also encompass such aspects as fair treatment and respect that minimize corporate hierarchies. A business executive of a property consulting firm believes that developing an egalitarian model on the basis of local values in a company can minimize… [Continue Reading]
Kikuo Ibe: Unbreakable teamwork in creating the shock of the new

Kikuo Ibe became a pioneer in the world of watches because of a dream, his team and a refusal to crack under pressure. The Japanese had loved the durable watch his father gave him as a high school graduation present, which lasted for 12 years through thick and thin. But most watches were expensive and… [Continue Reading]
Property market outlook still buoyant despite currency volatility

Indonesia’s recent economic turmoil has led many short-term investors to exit the country, causing the equity market to fall rapidly and the rupiah to weaken to over 11,500 per US dollar. This change of sentiment was triggered by the US Federal Reserve signaling to the market that it would withdraw its large monetary stimulus and… [Continue Reading]
Victory City

As one of several Asian nations enjoying highly favourable economic growth rates, Indonesia is increasingly appearing on the international investment radar. Southeast Asia’s largest economy continues to show a positive outlook for real estate investors, with a growing number of high net worth individuals contributing to a boom in Jakarta’s luxury condominium market. The Indonesian… [Continue Reading]
Yuan Bin: Minimizing cultural differences with good communication skills

In the corporate world, especially in a multinational company, cultural differences in communication often come to the fore. Bank ICBC Indonesia president director Yuan Bin is well aware of the likelihood of such a situation; the bank, a subsidiary of ICBC Limited, one of the largest commercial banks in China and the world, employs mostly… [Continue Reading]
Analysis: The next boomtowns to focus on

Along with the government’s efforts to spread economic growth to all provinces, the property industry has been keeping a weather eye on the increased demand for residential and commercial estates outside Greater Jakarta. Megalopolitan Jakarta has been experiencing tremendous growth in urban development with improved infrastructure and increasing land values that have extended to areas… [Continue Reading]
Hendro Gondokusumo: Solid teamwork builds strong human resources in good and bad times

Text & photos: Aulia R. Sungkar. Published in The Jakarta Post, March 9, 2013. Hendro Gondokusumo admits he faced his fair share of setbacks before the company he founded, Intiland Development, emerged as one of the leading property developers in the country. The firm began brightly in the 1970s with construction of housing compound projects Cilandak Garden… [Continue Reading]
Thomas S. Robertson: Leading with innovation to seize the future

Words and interview by: Aulia R. Sungkar. Photos: Aulia R. Sungkar, businessweek.com. Published in The Jakarta Post, September 22, 2012. Combining his interest in human behavior with his marketing savvy, veteran academic leader Thomas S. Robertson is driving innovation to advance a top US business school as a force for global economic growth and social change. As… [Continue Reading]
Hearts of Romance

Behind his romantic lyrics is a beautiful life that David Foster told PMR he found after meeting Yolanda Hadid, the former Dutch model whom he married on the auspicious day of 11.11.11. At 11:11 p.m. precisely, David and Yolanda cut their five-foot pearl wedding cake wrapped with music notes. Attended by dozens of celebrity guests,… [Continue Reading]
New Downtown

Singapore is building the newly Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), which is sophisticatedly designed not only as one of the global hubs of international business and commerce, but also to make the island city-state become a more happening place to live, work and play. Sitting on a 360-hectare waterfront site at Marina Bay in the southern… [Continue Reading]
City Living is Looking Up with Superblocks

A City’s hustle and bustle can often lead to a hectic and stressful life. Nevertheless, many people opt for urban living due to a myriad of benefits it has to offer. To name a few, city dwellers can visit shopping malls, enjoy the nightlife, meet with friends at a café or bistro, dine with their… [Continue Reading]
Peter Carey: A British Champion for Indonesia’s Disabled Millions

Blessed with visionary leadership, Dr. Peter Carey has for more than two decades geared his philanthropic work toward helping people with disabilities in Southeast Asian countries, particularly Indonesia. Now the director for research and development at Indonesia’s Cambodia Trust, Carey is involved in statistical research on people with disabilities in Indonesia. This includes the types… [Continue Reading]
Stephen Pimbley: Creating Landmarks in Asia

Under the helm of Stephen Pimbley, an award-winning international architectural consultancy SPARCH has over the last 10 years delivered a diverse range of landmark projects from its studios in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Malaysia, Shanghai and Singapore. During his short visit to Jakarta, Pimbley shared with Indonesia Design contributor Aulia R. Sungkar his design philosophy and… [Continue Reading]
Staying the course

En route to becoming the first Indonesian chief operating officer (COO) of one of the largest foreign banks in Indonesia, Endy Abdurrahman has had to cope with setbacks along the way. He spoke with Aulia Rachmat. Sitting relaxed on the verandah facing the back garden of his antique-filled residence south of Jakarta, Endy Abdurrahman smiles… [Continue Reading]
Do we need and trust insurance?

“I don’t believe in insurance since it has more disadvantages than advantages,” Della, a fresh university graduate, said. She has her reason for making such a statement. Her father’s health insurance claim was once rejected by an insurance company, which argued that there were a number of illnesses exempted from coverage in the first year… [Continue Reading]