Sugianto Kusuma

Indonesian businessman

Sugianto Kusuma (also known as Aguan, Chinese: 郭說鋒 born 1951 in Palembang), is an Indonesian business tycoon. He owns Agung Sedayu Group, one of the biggest property developers in Indonesia.

## Early life

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Kusuma started off by smuggling electronic goods via Palembang.[1] He became a close business partner with Tomy Winata, who has close ties with the military.[2] Kusuma is also a member of the so-called "nine dragons", a group comprising individuals behind Jakarta's gambling industry during the New Order.[2]

Kusuma became wealthy in the 1980s by working with the military financier Robby Sumampouw to conduct an unlicensed lottery (toto gelap) and casino in Surabaya.[3]

## Business

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Aerial view of Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta

Sugianto Kusuma together with Tomy Winata owns PT Danayasa Arthatama, through Jakarta International Hotels & Developments Tbk, which developed and owns the Sudirman Central Business District.[4]

Kusuma and his family owns PT Agung Sedayu.[5] Through PT Multi Artha Pratama,[5] PT Agung Sedayu also owns 89% Pantai Indah Kapuk Dua (previously named Pratama Abadi Nusa Industri), which went public in 2018.[6] Pantai Indah Kapuk Dua, or PIK2 is a new development area in Tangerang Regency.[7]

## Land reclamation controversy

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In mid-2015, North Jakarta officials refused permission for developers to proceed with the construction of offshore islands. However, despite this denial, some developers continued their work. Concurrently, Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama proposed a draft Regional Regulation (Perda) on land reclamation to the DPRD. This legislation aimed to clarify spatial planning rules, facilitating developers in obtaining necessary permits. However, it also proposed an increase in the percentage of tax from land sales. This adjustment, from the previously set level of five percent by President Soeharto to 15 percent. Kusuma estimated an additional cost of Rp12 trillion due to this change.[8][9]

In December 2015, according to investigations by the Corruption Eradication Commission, DPRD members convened at the residence of Sugianto Kusuma. Allegedly, during this meeting, Kusuma influenced senior provincial legislators to pass the spatial planning legislation without the provision for increased land contribution. Some witnesses, as reported by the press, claimed that developers offered sums ranging from Rp2.5-5 billion to each DPRD member who cast the appropriate vote. Kusuma and his son, Richard Halim, have undergone questioning by the KPK multiple times, and were put on an international travel ban in April 2016, which was eventually lifted in October 2016.[8][10][9]

According to Tempo, Agung Sedayu made four payments to Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, the speaker from PDI-Perjuangan and a former employee of Kusuma, who then distributed the funds to others, including Ongen Sangaji. A wire-tapped conversation presented in court by KPK prosecutors revealed an Agung Sedayu executive informing Sanusi that Kusuma would exert pressure on Marsudi to ensure the passage of the Perda on spatial planning. Sanusi, in turn, expressed dissatisfaction with Marsudi's distribution of bribe money, claiming it hindered cooperation among DPRD members.[8]

In December 2016, Gerindra legislator and speaker of the local parliament, Mohamad Sanusi, received a sentence of 7 years and a fine 250 million Rupiah.[11] The head of Agung Podomoro Land, Ariesman Widjaja, received a three-year prison sentence for having paid a Rp. 2 billion bribe to the Mohamad Sanusi. His assistant, Trinanda Prihantoro, received a sentence of 20 months who confirmed Sanusi's purchase of multiple assets from Agung Podomoro Land, including apartments and buildings. Additionally, investigators seized evidence from Sanusi, including luxury vehicles and cash, suspecting that he received inducements from developers and distributed payments to other DPRD members.

## Personal life

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Kusuma and his wife joined Tzu Chi in 2002, after a trip to Hualien, Taiwan in 2001.[12][13]

Sugianto Kusuma is married to Rebecca Halim. They have 4 children.

Sugianto Kusuma's brother Susanto Kusuma, is an also a shareholder of Agung Sedayu. His nephew Steven Kusumo, the CEO of Agung Sedayu.[14]

## References

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1. ^ Yesidora, Sorta Tobing, Amelia (2023-06-21). "Legenda Sembilan Naga, Kelompok Pengusaha Berjaya di Era Orde Baru - Sejarah Ekonomi Katadata.co.id". katadata.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-05-02.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. ^ a b Kingsbury, Damien (2005-08-18). Power Politics and the Indonesian Military. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-43215-8.
3. ^ Samantho, Ahmad Yanuana (2015-04-29). "Sembilan Naga, Gengster Legendaris Asal Indonesia ?". Bayt al-Hikmah Institute (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-05-02.
4. ^ Binekasri, Romys. "Ini Deretan Bisnis Tommy Winata". CNBC Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-06-17.
5. ^ a b Sandria, Feri. "Terungkap 'Kendaraan Bisnis' Agung Sedayu, Ada Eks Menteri!". CNBC Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-06-17.
6. ^ "Profil Perusahaan Tercatat PT Pantai Indah Kapuk Dua Tbk".
7. ^ Rosendar, Yessar. "Billionaire Salim-Backed Firm To Build $2.5 Billion Tourism Estate North Of Jakarta". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
8. ^ a b c Publishing, TEMPO (2020-01-01). Ahok-Anies : Tentang Kontribusi Tambahan 15 Persen Reklamasi Jakarta (in Indonesian). Tempo Publishing. ISBN 978-623-262-095-7.
9. ^ a b "Semakin Dekat ke Teras Harco". Tempo. 2016-07-11. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
10. ^ BeritaSatu.com. "Kasus Reklamasi, KPK Kembali Periksa Anak Aguan". beritasatu.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-05-02.
11. ^ "Putusan PN JAKARTA PUSAT Nomor 66/Pid.Sus-TPK/2016/PN Pn.Jkt.Pst". putusan3.mahkamahagung.go.id. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
12. ^ O'Neill, Mark (2010-05-17). Tzu Chi: Serving with Compassion. John Wiley & Sons. p. 98\. ISBN 978-0-470-82567-9.
13. ^ "Tzu Chi Spirit Alive and Strong among Entrepreneurs". Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore). Retrieved 2024-06-17.
14. ^ Asia, Tatler. "Steven Kusumo". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2024-05-02.