Prajogo: I Want to See a Prosperous Indonesia
His name is widely known as one of Indonesia’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, yet he rarely speaks in public. He prefers to work in silence, building companies from scratch into one of Indonesia’s largest business groups operating across various sectors, particularly those aligned with global demands. This is Prajogo Pangestu, a national entrepreneur who will turn 82 on 13 May 2026.
Even at the age of 82, he still reports to the office. He remains physically robust, with sharp memory and a structured way of presenting his views. He closely follows various issues occurring in the country and provides constructive perspectives.
“I want to see Indonesia progress and prosper,” said Prajogo Pangestu. “I was born, raised, lived, and worked in Indonesia. Where else should I go if not here, in this beloved nation, to help build the nation and the country alongside the government,” he told Investortrust last weekend.
For Prajogo, building a business empire is supported not only by the courage to take risks and perseverance but also by the ability to read the direction of changing times. As the world moves towards a green economy and energy transition, Prajogo’s Barito Group is strengthening its business in sectors relevant to future needs, namely modern petrochemicals and geothermal energy. Through Chandra Asri Pacific and Barito Renewables Energy, Prajogo is positioning his companies in strategic sectors that are not only vital for national industry but also aligned with global demands for more environmentally friendly and sustainable businesses.
Petrochemicals remain the backbone of various modern industries, ranging from automotive and packaging to electronics and healthcare. However, at the same time, the world demands that the petrochemical industry becomes more efficient and low-emission. Meanwhile, the geothermal sector is considered one of the most potential clean energy sources for Indonesia, which possesses the world’s largest geothermal reserves. Therefore, Prajogo’s move deeper into renewable energy is viewed as a visionary long-term business strategy. Amidst global pressure on fossil fuels and increasing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) demands, businesses that combine economic growth with environmental sustainability are expected to become one of the most important sectors in the future economy.
Not by Chance
One of the main advantages of successful entrepreneurs is resilience—the ability to withstand pressure—and extraordinary persistence. They are not born of comfort, but from failure, pressure, and long, repeated struggles. They fall many times but continue to rise, learn, and move forward when many others choose to give up. This mental toughness is often what distinguishes great entrepreneurs from those who are merely intelligent or well-capitalised in building and running a business.
Prajogo Pangestu’s story is a concrete example. Coming from a humble family and having once worked as an ‘angkot’ (public minivan) driver, he built his business from the ground up to become one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates. Such a journey would be impossible without the endurance to face crises, the courage to take risks, and the persistence to work for the long term. In the global business world, resilience and persistence are often considered more important than talent, as great success is almost always born from the ability to endure longer than the challenges faced.
Some members of the public only view entrepreneurs during certain periods, namely when they have reached the peak. They do not see the long process entrepreneurs undergo to build businesses from scratch. There are many thorns and obstacles along the way. No entrepreneur becomes successful instantly or suddenly.
In all developed nations, major entrepreneurs are treated as strategic national assets because they play a role in creating jobs, paying taxes, building industries, bringing in technology, and strengthening national competitiveness. The United States (US), for example, built its economic power alongside giant companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla, which serve as the world’s engines of technological innovation.
During his state visit to China on 13-15 May 2026, US President Donald Trump brought several top US entrepreneurs and CEOs. This move shows that Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was not just a diplomatic and geopolitical agenda, but also a mission for large-scale business, technology, energy, and investment. Reuters reported that several major business figures accompanying Trump included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Also present were BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, as well as executives from Boeing, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, Visa, Meta Platforms, and Qualcomm.
A similar pattern occurred in Japan and South Korea. Japan nurtured companies like Toyota and Sony through industrial, technological, and export support since the post-World War II era. South Korea did the same for Samsung and Hyundai Motor Company to become global players. Developed nations generally do not oppose large entrepreneurs; instead, they make them strategic partners in national development, while maintaining transparency, healthy competition, and legal certainty so that economic power does not transform into a destructive oligarchy.
The US, South Korean, and Japanese governments oversee them through anti-monopoly regulations and taxation, but continue to provide legal protection, research incentives, and strategic contracts, recognising that the private sector is the primary engine of economic growth and a determinant of technological progress. They are monitored through clear rules of the game, but also supported.