Indonesian tycoon Mohammad 'Bob' Hasan's statement that he wants to 'transform' his giant investment company, Nusantara Ampera Bakti (Nusamba), into a charitable foundation should not be seen as any great victory for philanthropy.
According to reports, more than 60 per cent of Nusamba's money comes from three so-called charitable foundations headed by his close friend, President Suharto. That aside, the statements indicate a growing role for the once shadowy Nusamba and its tough-talking chief, Mr Hasan.
Once known mainly as Indonesia's timber czar, two recent manoeuvres by Nusamba have helped propel Mr Hasan, 65, into the centre of the Indonesian business world and won him a dual reputation as manager of Mr Suharto's business fortune and the wise uncle in first family squabbles.
Last week, Mr Hasan was credited with solving the long-running controversy over who should win rights to develop the Busang II gold deposit in West Kalimantan. The issue had pitted two presidential siblings against each other and provoked an outcry from international investors over the bidding process.
Also last week, he was appointed president commissioner of the nation's largest car-maker, Astra International. He is believed to have organised the phantom takeover of the blue-chip stock by an informal consortium comprising Indonesian companies close to the president.
'The president needs a man like Bob Hasan to manage the business interests of his foundations, and at the same time deal with internal family matters,' said Arbi Sanit, an analyst with the University of Indonesia.
