The Story of Michael Bambang Hartono, BCA Boss Who Once Became a BRI Customer

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Michael Bambang Hartono passed away on Thursday (19/3/2026) at 13:15 Singapore time. The news of the Djarum boss’s death marks the departure of one of the key figures behind the Hartono brothers’ efforts in building a business empire in Indonesia. Behind his position as the owner of Djarum and the controlling shareholder of Bank Central Asia (BCA), there is another side to Michael Hartono that once captured public attention: he was once recorded as a customer of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI). His participation was not merely symbolic. Michael Bambang Hartono successfully won a bronze medal in the super mixed team event, a sport that relies on strategy, intelligence, and teamwork. For this achievement, the government provided bonuses to the successful athletes. The presentation was done symbolically by President Joko Widodo at the State Palace, using a Bank BRI Britama savings book. At that moment, the public learned that Michael Hartono received the bonus through a BRI account—not BCA, the bank he owns with his brother, Robert Budi Hartono. Bambang Hartono responded casually with a laugh, confirming the matter. Furthermore, the bonus he received was not used for personal interests. He stated that all the funds would be returned for the development of bridge sports in Indonesia. “I will return the money to bridge for development. All of it,” he said at the time. This step shows another side of the Djarum owner, who is not only known as a big businessman but also has attention to sports development. The two are known as the Hartono brothers who consistently occupy the top positions in the list of the richest people in Indonesia. Based on Forbes data as of 19 March 2026, Michael Bambang Hartono’s wealth is recorded at around $17.5 billion or equivalent to Rp 297 trillion. Beyond those figures, Michael Hartono’s persona often draws attention due to his simple lifestyle. He once became a topic of discussion after being seen eating at a tofu stall, reinforcing his image as a down-to-earth Djarum boss. The story of the “BCA boss who became a BRI customer” thus becomes a small portrait of that character, a personal side that is attached to Michael Bambang Hartono’s life journey, amid the vast business legacy he leaves behind.