Translated:  Mayapada group owner Dato’ Sri Tahir (left) poses with former Indonesian presidents BJ Habibie (center) and Susilo “SBY” Bambang Yudhoyono at the recent launch of the Chinese translation of his autobiography Living Sacrifice at Singapore Management University in Singapore. (JP/Stefani Ribka)

It is a rare occasion when two former Indonesian presidents sit down together, especially at a private function and in a foreign country. But this tycoon and philanthropist made it happen.

Tycoon Dato’ Sri Tahir, expressed pure joy at the presence of BJ Habibie and Susilo “SBY” Bambang Yudhoyono at the recent launch of the Chinese translation of his autobiography Living Sacrifice at Singapore Management University (SMU) in Singapore.

The 523-page Indonesian edition of his autobiography was launched in Jakarta late last year. In the book, Tahir shares not just his life experience as the son of a pedicab-maker in Surabaya, East Java. He also covers in detail his bitter and sweet experiences as the son-in-law of Lippo Group founder Mochtar Riady. His wife, Rosy Riady, is Mochtar’s eldest daughter.

Interestingly, the Singapore launch was held at the Mochtar Riady Auditorium. Mochtar contributed S$5 million (US$3.64 million) to the university in 2011.

Earlier on the day of the launch, at Tahir’s invitation, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement in medical education and research between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University (UGM). Through the Tahir Foundation, Indonesia’s 10th richest citizen contributed a S$1 million grant to fund the joint academic cooperation. UGM was represented by its rector Dwikorita Karnawati and NUS by its president Tan Chorh Chuan.

“It is not very often that two Indonesian presidents are seen in one place, so let us give a big hand of appreciation for the honor of having them join us here. By the way, speaking in front of president Habibie and president SBY makes me feel like a hopeful PhD student defending my dissertation in front of two examiners. I hope I will pass,” the chairman of the widely diversified Mayapada Group said with a big smile.

Tahir is probably Indonesia’s most active philanthropist at an international level. In 2013, he contributed more than US$100 million to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an organization that provides funding for efforts to eliminate deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, polio and malaria. The foundation allocates funding to activities in several countries, but mostly in Indonesia. Bill Gates also delivers a testimony on Tahir in the book.

The 64-year-old businessman pays great attention to health development issues, apparently because of his failure to realize his childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor because of financial constraints. However, his parents could provide enough money to send him to study at Nanyang University in Singapore. He also has his own hospital, the Mayapada Hospital.

“This book is a labor of love. The most important reason for this decision was my mother. She is now 84 years old, still full of life and still working as a branch head of Bank Mayapada. She not only raised me, but also filled my soul with gratitude and wisdom. This book is a tribute to her,” Tahir said.

Another reason for the book is his love for his country, Indonesia. “There are many things I cannot choose in my life, but I can choose how I can be useful for my country. My country has given me everything that I have now. It is a logical consequence that I need to give back to my country,” Tahir noted.

Around 300 guests from various backgrounds attended the launch, including Jusuf Wanandi, a senior fellow and co-founder of the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

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