Drama - The world of the wealthy is shocked by the news of the emergence of a new richest billionaire. Prajogo Pangestu, a figure who used to be in the timber business, suddenly claimed the title of the richest person in Indonesia. Prajogo Pangestu's net worth is reported to have made him the richest person in Indonesia with assets reaching US$40 billion or Rp620 trillion (exchange rate Rp15,520 per US$). However, this title is only temporary as it is based on Real-Time Forbes data. The 79-year-old petrochemical and energy billionaire has managed to increase his wealth 7 times from the billionaire list published earlier this year. At that time, the owner of Barito business had only reached US$5.3 billion.

As the child of a rubber trader, Pangestu started his business by selling wood in the late 1970s. He registered his company, Barito Pacific Timber, in 1993 and changed its name to Barito Pacific after diversifying into other lines of business.

In 2007, Pangestu acquired 70% of the shares of petrochemical company Chandra Asri and four years later completed a merger with Tri Polyta Indonesia to become the largest integrated petrochemical producer in Indonesia. In 2021, Thaioil acquired 15% of Chandra Asri's shares. Pangestu has also prepared the next generation to succeed him. His eldest son, Agus Salim, works with him as the president director of Barito Pacific. His daughter, Nancy Pangestu Tabardel, manages the family office and also Green Era in Singapore. Pangestu's youngest son, Baritono, is the vice president director of commercial at Chandra Asri.