Blessed with outstanding talent, Krisdayanti attests that being persistent in her career path is what has climbed her to the top. By far the Indonesia’s most popular and highest paid female singer, KD, as she is better known, stepped into her singing career path when she was only nine. Able to cope with all the setback she experienced during her first years of career journey, the determined KD recalls her teenage triumph in the early 1990s that witnessed a number of achievements in a … [Read more...]
Where Drawing Do The Talking
Believing in the power of drawing, the architect and interior designer veteran Thomas Elliott has translated a myriad of ideas into innovative interior design practice. Aulia R. Sungkar writes. Met by Registry at his state-of-the-art office in Kemang, South Jakarta, the CEO of PT PAI smiles benignly, “Just call me Tom.” Recalling his childhood, he says he always wanted to be an architect since he was a kid. Tom’s dream eventually reached fruition. Holding a California architect license, … [Read more...]
Seto Mulyadi: The Bright Side of Homeschooling
In modern countries homeschooling has become an option for parents to provide education for their children. In Indonesia, homeschooling is still a controversial issue yet this new trend of schooling has potential to be an educational breakthrough for parents seeking both flexibility and curricula-based outcomes. Homeschooling is basically a learning process that can be conducted everywhere, particularly at home, with their family or children in the communities. Parents can creatively build a … [Read more...]
Fortune favours the bold
Blessed with the right leadership savvy, mobile telecommunications veteran Hasnul Suhaimi tells Aulia Rachmat he’s confident of taking the company he leads to the next level. With a youthful appearance, people often assume he’s a lot younger than his 51 years. Don’t be fooled by appearances, though, for soft-spoken, easygoing Hasnul Suhaimi is the mastermind behind an aggressive business strategy currently being rolled out by PT Exelcomindo Pratama (XL), the third-largest cellular phone … [Read more...]
My Jakarta-Deborah Iskandar
Deborah Iskandar is an American who has lived in Jakarta for more than 17 years. Having been a representative for an auction house for 12 years and took a much deserved a year break, she was recruited in July 2008 by Sotheby’s, one of the world’s oldest auction houses, to establish its presence in Indonesia and take incumbency as a consultant for Sotheby’s Hong Kong. WHY DO YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN JAKARTA? I find the city a fascinating place to live as there are so many opportunities despite some … [Read more...]
Working at the sharp end
Optimism for the future of Indonesia’s financial sector has motivated Rizal Satar to work for one of the world’s largest professional services firms. Aulia Rachmat reports. While breaking the fast at his state-of-the-art office in Jakarta during Ramadhan, PT PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) FAS president director Rizal Satar confided that he was reading a biography of US presidential candidate Barack Obama. He added that he would not be surprised to see him sitting in the White House Oval Office … [Read more...]
My Jakarta-Wahyudi Rahardja
Wahyudi Rahardja is owner of Emilie Restaurant, an upscale authentic traditional French cuisine eatery in southern Jakarta prime area. The restaurant is indeed his first venture, but this determined young entrepreneur has been staying on track in running his business. Opened in August 2006, the restaurant is the first and only one in town to receive the Award of Excellence 2007 from an American wine magazine, Wine Spectator. WHY DO YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN JAKARTA? Everything from the city’s … [Read more...]
When oil and music combine
For risk-taking businessman-cum-guitarist Hilmi Panigoro, nothing is impossible. He tells Aulia Rachmat Sungkar about the risks he encountered while growing his oil and gas company. While welcoming The Peak to his comfortable office in Jakarta’s prime business district, PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk chairman and president commissioner Hilmi Panigoro explains, with an avuncular smile, that his company is due to move to larger premises quite soon. Construction of a brand-new office block … [Read more...]
Silver-screen success
With no previous experience and background in entertainment industry, David Hilman has successfully led his Cineplex business to capture the market rapidly within two years of operation. He shares with Aulia Rachmat the recipe for success. Having a chat with the Chief Executive Officer of Blitz Megaplex in a southern Jakarta’s fine-dining eatery put a relaxing evening in a jovial mood. Rather laid-back in style, David is indeed an ambitious entrepreneur when it comes to innovating new … [Read more...]
Faysal Gouia: ‘Globalization should be seen as opportunity’
Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, the north African country of Tunisia with its age-old blend of Eastern and Western civilization has succeeded in achieving not only a diversified modern refinement but also a paradigm of economic development. The country's success in trade stems back to ancient times, when it was the breadbasket for much of the Roman empire. By the same token, Tunisia has been boosting its international trade since gaining independence from France in 1956. In fact, … [Read more...]