Market Research
Indonesia's Rich Get Richer With Commodities

Record commodities prices have dramatically swelled the coffers of the super wealthy in Indonesia, according to the latest Globe Asia rich list.
The Indonesian tycoon and so-called "plantation king"
Eka Tjipta Widjaja has emerged as the country's richest man,
according to the latest 150 Richest Indonesians List by
Globe Asia.
Widjaja, owner of palm oil manufacturer Sinar Mas Group, is
reportedly now worth $12 billion, compared to the $4 billion
recorded for him in 2010. The former number
one, Budi Hartono of the cigarette giant Djarum, has fallen
to second with an $11.5 billion net worth.
Much of Widjaja's jump to first place may be attributed to
the explosion in palm oil demand over the past year, Globe
Asia notes, estimating that the firm presently has over one
million hectares of palm oil estates which by themselves are
worth $8 billion. When his property assets, banking, pulp and
paper, and coal mining businesses are combined, his total net
worth is placed at $8 billion.
According to the publication, record level global commodity
prices have translated into very good earnings for businessmen
with interests in the likes of coal mines and palm oil
plantations. In fact, of the 21 billionaires listed in 2011, nine
are linked with coal mine ownership. This is one of the reasons
why the total net worth of Indonesia's 150 richest individuals
had gone up by 75 per cent to a total of $107.9 billion.
Most of the new entrants to the list are involved in commodities.
This includes Samin Tan, owner of Borneo Lumbung Energi and
Metal, and Agus Lasmono, main shareholder of Indika Energy.