Probosutedjo
Probosutedjo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Kemusuk, near Yogyakarta, Indonesia |
| Died | March 26, 2018 (aged 87) Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Younger half-sibling of former president Suharto; founder of PT Menara Hutan Buana; co-founder of Indonesian Indigenous Entrepreneurs Association (HIPPI); co-founder of Mercu Buana University |
Probosutedjo (born 1 May 1930 – passed away 26 March 2018) was a prominent Indonesian entrepreneur and the younger half-sibling of former president Suharto. He was among seven offspring from his mother's second marriage and grew up in Kemusuk, near Yogyakarta. Similar to Suharto, he adopted a single name.
His commercial activities expanded significantly during the New Order administration led by Suharto. Probosutedjo established PT Menara Hutan Buana, a company specializing in the forestry sector, and played a key role in founding the Indonesian Indigenous Entrepreneurs Association (HIPPI), an initiative that reportedly caused dissatisfaction for President Suharto.
In the 1980s, he contributed to the founding of Mercu Buana University, which has since developed multiple campuses throughout Jakarta.
Throughout the 1970s, Probosutedjo encountered accusations related to corruption. In 2003, he was found guilty of corruption resulting in a $10 million loss to the state and received a four-year prison sentence. This sentence was temporarily reduced to two years amid inquiries into judicial misconduct; however, after admitting guilt in 2005, his original sentence was reinstated. Following a brief period during which he was guarded by police, he was taken into custody later that year.
Following Suharto’s death in 2008, Probosutedjo continued to uphold his brother’s legacy by contributing to the 2011 publication Pak Harto: The untold stories and endorsing a 2013 book authored by palace journalists that reflected on Suharto’s life.
Probosutedjo passed away on 26 March 2018 at Jakarta’s Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. His remains were transported back to Kemusuk for burial, with family members including Titiek and Mamiek Suharto present, alongside a large gathering from the local community.