TNI chief picks tycoon Tahir as economic adviser



JAKARTA. Indonesia Military (TNI) commander Gen. Moeldoko inaugurated on Thursday tycoon Tahir to be his adviser for economic and personnel welfare at TNI headquarters in East Jakarta. "I congratulate Dato' Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir MBA for his inauguration as my adviser. Pak Tahir's presence will ease my burden in increasing the welfare of my personnel," said Moeldoko, who is deemed a controversial figure for some of his moves, which include condoning the use of bootleg watches and supporting a group of coal miners engaged in a legal dispute in East Kalimantan. Moeldoko said Tahir had already contributed so much to soldiers' welfare, such as providing 1,000 houses for active personnel in Jakarta. Since assuming the job as TNI commander in August last year, Moeldoko and Tahir have frequently been seen attending ceremonies together.  Tahir, who is one of Indonesia's 50 richest men according to Forbes, owns the Mayapada Group, which has portfolios in property, banking and the medical sector.  World philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill Gates signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with eight Indonesian tycoons, led by Tahir, in Jakarta last April on a special sustainable healthcare program.


Editor: Edy Can