Before Being Bought by Indonesia's Second Richest Man, SBY Rarely Parted with His Paintings
A painting by the Chairman of the Democrat Party’s High Council and Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), sold for Rp6.5 billion at auction during a Chinese New Year commemoration held by his party on Wednesday (18 February).
The painting was purchased by mining entrepreneur and Bayan Resources founder Low Tuck Kwong. According to Forbes data, the businessman, commonly known as Dato Low, is currently Indonesia’s second wealthiest individual.
Democrat Party Deputy Secretary-General Ossy Dermawan described the painting as exceptional, noting that aside from coinciding with Chinese New Year, SBY very rarely parts with his works.
“Many of his friends have visited Cikeas. He has produced hundreds of paintings. Many of those friends have requested and even offered high prices for them, but Mr SBY very rarely lets go of his paintings,” he said.
Before being secured at Rp6.5 billion by Low Tuck Kwong, the painting opened for bidding at Rp200 million. The price gradually climbed to Rp300 million, Rp500 million, Rp700 million, Rp1 billion, Rp4.8 billion, Rp5 billion, Rp5.5 billion, Rp6 billion, before closing at Rp6.5 billion.
Ossy said the auction proceeds would be used for humanitarian assistance, particularly for the Chinese-Indonesian community.
“Once again, these funds will be used for humanitarian aid, for underprivileged communities, especially the Chinese-Indonesian community,” he said.
The painting was executed on a 130 cm x 80 cm canvas. Entitled ‘Strong and Energetic Like a Fire Horse’, it was adapted from the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese calendar 2577 Kongzili. The painting depicts a blue horse with a mane and crest resembling flames.
In his remarks, SBY said the ‘fire horse’ in his painting symbolised determination, energy, and strength to achieve one’s goals. However, he deliberately placed the fire horse in a calm and peaceful setting.
“Therefore, in this painting, I placed the fire horse in an environment, in an atmosphere that is serene, that is peaceful. So the blue here symbolises peace,” SBY said.
He noted that the dominant blue colour is also synonymous with peace, like the colour of the United Nations. According to him, the fire horse represents energy and strength moving in tranquillity.
“So my imagination is that there is a fire horse symbolising determination, strength, energy, achieving good objectives, but in a serene atmosphere of life,” said the father of Democrat Party Chairman and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).
According to Forbes, as of 2026 Dato Low is recorded as Indonesia’s second richest person with a fortune of US$20.3 billion. He sits below Prajogo Pangestu, Indonesia’s wealthiest individual with a fortune of US$29.9 billion.