SBY Painting Purchased by Indonesia's Second Richest Person for Rp6.5 Billion
A painting by the Chairman of the Democratic Party's High Council and Indonesia's sixth President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), sold for Rp6.5 billion at auction during a Lunar New Year celebration held by his party on Wednesday (18 February).
The painting was purchased by mining entrepreneur and Bayan Resources founder Low Tuck Kwong.
As of 2026, according to Forbes, Dato Low — as he is commonly known — is ranked as Indonesia's second wealthiest individual with a fortune of US$20.3 billion. He sits just behind Prajogo Pangestu, the country's richest person with wealth totalling US$29.9 billion.
The painting is entitled 'Strong and Energetic Like a Fire Horse', adapted from the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese calendar 2577 Kongzili. It depicts a blue horse with a mane and crest resembling flames.
The work was painted on a canvas measuring 130 cm by 80 cm. Democratic Party Deputy Secretary General Ossy Dermawan described the painting as exceptional, noting that beyond its timing to coincide with the Lunar New Year, SBY very rarely parts with his artworks.
"Many of his friends visit Cikeas. He has produced hundreds of paintings. Many of those friends have requested and even offered high prices for them, but President SBY very rarely agrees to release his paintings," he said.
Before the price was locked in at Rp6.5 billion by Low Tuck Kwong, bidding opened 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 stated that 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 those of Chinese descent," he said.
In his remarks, SBY explained that the 'fire horse' in his painting symbolises 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. The blue here symbolises peace," SBY said.
He noted that the dominant blue colour is also synonymous with peace, much like the colour of the United Nations. According to him, the fire horse represents energy and strength moving forward in tranquillity.
"So my imagination is that there is a fire horse symbolising determination, strength, energy, achieving good objectives, but within a serene atmosphere of life," SBY said.
The painting was purchased by mining entrepreneur and Bayan Resources founder Low Tuck Kwong.
As of 2026, according to Forbes, Dato Low — as he is commonly known — is ranked as Indonesia's second wealthiest individual with a fortune of US$20.3 billion. He sits just behind Prajogo Pangestu, the country's richest person with wealth totalling US$29.9 billion.
The painting is entitled 'Strong and Energetic Like a Fire Horse', adapted from the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese calendar 2577 Kongzili. It depicts a blue horse with a mane and crest resembling flames.
The work was painted on a canvas measuring 130 cm by 80 cm. Democratic Party Deputy Secretary General Ossy Dermawan described the painting as exceptional, noting that beyond its timing to coincide with the Lunar New Year, SBY very rarely parts with his artworks.
"Many of his friends visit Cikeas. He has produced hundreds of paintings. Many of those friends have requested and even offered high prices for them, but President SBY very rarely agrees to release his paintings," he said.
Before the price was locked in at Rp6.5 billion by Low Tuck Kwong, bidding opened 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 stated that 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 those of Chinese descent," he said.
In his remarks, SBY explained that the 'fire horse' in his painting symbolises 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. The blue here symbolises peace," SBY said.
He noted that the dominant blue colour is also synonymous with peace, much like the colour of the United Nations. According to him, the fire horse represents energy and strength moving forward in tranquillity.
"So my imagination is that there is a fire horse symbolising determination, strength, energy, achieving good objectives, but within a serene atmosphere of life," SBY said.