This is Wendy Tanoto.
When I was six years old, my father, Polar Yanto Tanoto died in GA152 air crash on his way flying back to our home in Medan, Indonesia on Sep 26th 1997. I can still vividly remember the day when I learned the news. It was a typical Friday afternoon when the kids were expecting dad to join the dinner at 6pm.
For those who don’t know what happened, I’m here to tell you the story of a family who survived from the abuse by the Indonesian richest man, Sukanto Tanoto, the Chairman of RGE.
Right after my father’s death, Sukanto Tanoto, my father’s 30 years business partner/ brother skillfully contemplated actions to steal my father’s estates and today, he is celebrated as the richest man in Indonesia.
It happened so quickly and so skillfully that I remember how everything started to go against my family after my father’s death. It was scary. My mother only realized things started to go wrong when Sukanto asked her to sign over my father’s estate to him 1 week after my father’s funeral. Personal attacks, humiliations and death threats started to come to my mother when she refused to sign the document. Little do we come to expect that they all come from the closest person to our family, my uncle Sukanto.
For as long as I could remember, my uncle is like the Lord Voldemort. He became very mean and distanced toward my family after my father’s death. I hate when my uncle accused my mother for born with bad luck that caused my father to die even though he knew that his words would devastate my mother even more. I didn’t like how he undermined my father’s contribution to the company. I didn’t understand how he can possibly tell the world that my father, his business partner who built a billion company with him own nothing. I didn’t expect all bad things to come at once. I thought every uncle would react this way to their nieces when their father passed away in a sudden accident.
All of his actions, accusation, humiliation toward my mother was just a way to make her breakdown, so she would not be able to manage the battle against him.
After long legal battles, my mother decided not to pursue the estate case further. It was exhausting for a single mother with 4 children and no financial income to fight against one of the most powerful men in Indonesia. There were always lawyers from around the world willing to defend him and make up things to accuse my mother. Every time my mother tried to protect us, the lawyers can always twist my mother’s actions as a gold digger who used her children as a leverage. But the truth is that we were at the edge of poverty, and my mother can no longer afford our school fees. When every wife in Indonesia was allowed to access their husband’s public records, my mother was not able to. The officials told my mother that he could not give her my father’s public record unless she resolve the problems with Sukanto and got his permission. Yes, he has influences in the government.
The fact that Sukanto got away from what he did to my family haunted me as I grew up. I couldn’t stand the tortures my mother has to go through after my father died. I couldn’t understand why my mother had to tell me that she could not sign the settlement offered by my uncle in 2000 as our guardian to give up my father’s estates because she knew my father owned much more. Even though people around her pressured her to sign the settlement, my mother knew that what Sukanto offered was purely humiliating to her husband and her family. I couldn’t understand why my grandmother told me that my mom could not be with me when I was sick because Sukanto bribed the police to arrest her in Indonesia. I was horrified at that time because I just lost my father. Every time I saw a news article on Sukanto, an interview with Sukanto, and people praising his fortune as the richest man in Indonesia, his philanthropy work and receiving the highest honor of the Dean Medal by Wharton School of University Pennsylvania – I would wonder how they would react if they know how Sukanto has taken advantage of widow and orphans of an air crash passenger/ his closest brother.
For so long, Sukanto Tanoto’s success restrained me from telling the truth. My family was asked to give up many things after my father died, but this time I decided not to give up my rights and speak my story.
Today, I think I’m fortunate. What happened to my family has brought us closer together. We support each other and appreciate each others’ existences for that difficult time. Most importantly, I have a mother who support and love us unconditionally.
However, there are people around the world suffering from abuses by powerful men who still struggle to tell their stories. They give me the courage not to be silence anymore.
I want to ask the Board of UPenn who awarded Sukanto Tanoto the Dean Medal if they know what Sukanto has done to the family of an air crash victim before honoring him.
I want to ask the people who helped Sukanto to abuse our family what if their daughter has to go through all these at young age.
Oh man.. Why a man can be so evil and greedy like that.. Karma will kick in his face soon..
Wendy
You should get in touch with Rebecca Brooks of Sawarak Report to have her help you out.
I understand. My tears fall a little bit. Hope you can survive, Wen.
Dear Wendy,
First and foremost, I wish your mum, your siblings and you well and strength, stamina to go the next mile to restore sanity, peace and happiness to your devastated family.
You can’t fight this alone and will be futile. Approaching Wharton personally will yield nothing – money talks. You will need help and no Asian will and can have any leverage – they aren’t use to these fights.
Approach Claire Rewcastle Brown, the investigative, fearless journalist of Sarawak Report who exposed the greatest corruption, the 1MDB case that involves very senior government people in Malaysia.
Ms Brown, could be interested as one of her concern is deforestation of Borneo – by extension, Indonesian forests, by palm oil producers. I hope your disclosure will touch her and in the hope, some justice (moral and civil) could come your way.
I am looking for job and chanced upon a job ad that a multinational company involving in plantation, O&G and paper & pulps is hiring. The name of the company was not disclosed. After much effort, I managed to find out the name of the company – RGE, and was tempted to apply.
Nevertheless, the job ad looks familiar and I have seen it just a couple of months ago. Was wondering why the company is still hiring just after a short stint. My curiosity got the best of me. After much googling, I came across this blog and all the comments.
Thank you for all these articles and comments. I appreciate them very much.
Dear Wendy, please stay strong. It is a good deed that you have done by exposing all these “bad” things to the world. Nevertheless, at the same time, please learn to forgive and forget and move on with life for your own and your family’s wellbeing. It is not good to harbour anger and hatred as it is extremely bad for health.
We are not able to see the past and the future and we don’t know why things happen the way they happen. But if you believe in this almighty universe, please have trust and faith that everything is very fair and just. Everything happens for a reason. We cannot but be at the right time at the right place. Nothing happens by coincidence or by accident.
Patience is the greatest virtue and let the Universe takes its course. Do not be the agent to bring justice to the world, for whatever goes around comes around, for in the process of bringing justice and punishing the evils, there are a lot of negatives thoughts and actions. Life is a boomerang. You have done your part, let go and move on with life and have a better life. The only revenge that we can show our enemies is by living a better life, for they want to see you suffer.
What I shared is also my personal experience. Punishing the evils have brought back to me bad effect which I am still suffering the consequences. I am now seeking forgiveness, forgive others and forgive myself.
Your Uncle truly despicable & disgusting. What comes around goes around & people who have no God will do anything to benefit themself along the way destroying anyone who try to stop them coz they have no fear of God or don’t believe in Karma. No heart no conscience is how they able to attain so much wealth. Dirty money is all they have how sad they life must be so even you’re not as wealthy but do live your life happy & peaceful & show them you & your family will always rise above their Dirty Billions.
Worked with the group and met your father although I didn’t get to know him well. Not surprised about Sukanto as he is a ruthless businessman. Hope things work out for you and your family
Horrible horrible man. I hope the Sukanto guy goes to hell. Thanks for sharing your story and being a strong woman! Love and Support.
Feel like I read my family story here.. a bit different at the beginning but everything else went the same.. the evil stuff they did.. even the name of the person did it to my family rhyme perfectly with yours. Could they be actually sibling, the Princes of Hell?? Wendy.. live your life full with happines not hate.. that is the sweetest revenge. karma is as certain as death coming to one.. don’t worry.. if u lucky u’ll see it when it comes..
Wendy, we wish you success and always in good health. I was former employee of RGM Group. Your father was the greatest leader I had ever met. I feel so proud of ever worked for him. He was very humble, full understanding leader and had a great humanity in his heart. I feel so sad to know the whole terrible truth that Sukanto had done to your family. Without your father, Sukanto will have nothing today. I believe God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your pray and never silent to your pain. He sees, He listens and He will deliver. Karma will get hold of Sukanto for what he has done to your family. Sukanto is such the cruelest devil has ever live in the world. Very soon, bad karma will come to Sukanto. That’s why Sukanto’s companies always have never ending problems because what he plants are what he will harvest. Please send my regards to your Mom. God bless you always.
Mostly good people always go first just like your daddy. I like the point it brought your family closer together, support each other and appreciate each others’ existences for that difficult time. And Most importantly, you have a mother who support and love you unconditionally and raised you with love. Some people already known about how evil your uncle is (I am sure include the family), let’s speak up about it! Greeting to your Mom Wendy, She is incredible! God bless you
Hi I have worked at RGE and nothing you say surprises me at all. The whole family is heartless and completely devoid of any conscience. I feel very sad about the things you and your family went through. I just wish you could get some justice. You can get some satisfaction in the fact that the company will not survive very long when he dies. His children take after him and they have no love for each other. All they care about is money too.
Good on you Wendy :) I used to worked with your Dad, great man with few words but very dedicated & love his family. He used to show your guys pictures playing in the pool. I hope you & family find your peace now. I heard your uncle Sukanto is fighting a cancer right now, not sure if it’s only rumors..what ever he did the past has no power on you now. All best for you & family♡
Thank you so much Cindra.
When I asked my uncle and his close employees what kind of person my father is like, they always ran away from that question. And that really hurts my feeling. It feels good to know that there are people who can just say out simple truth in the world.
Your words mean a lot to me and my family.
Halo wendy, saya tau kisah ini dari koran nasional. Setelah saya membaca cerita anda, saya teringat dengan kejadian yang kurang lebih sama menimpa saya jg. Bbrp saudara dari salah satu pihak ortu juga menekan keluarga saya setelah papa saya meninggal, dengan berbagai alasan ingin mengambil alih saham keluarga saya di bbrp perusahaan. Untungnya “Yang Diatas” tidak tidur. Dalam beberapa hal, selalu aja ada jalan pemecahannya. jadi, wendy, banyak berdoa dan berusaha yang terbaik untuk keluarga. Ingat, KARMA tetap berjalan, cepat atau lambat…..
I’m sorry,I have a little question to ask.I had a friend name James and he suddenly moved away on SD 4 while I was studying in Sutomo Medan.I’m looking for him ever since then.Do you happen to know him?
Hi Carlos,
James is my brother. He’s doing fine right now. I’ll pass your message to him.
Found this blog -> http://polartanoto.wordpress.com while searching about Sukanto Tanoto. Glad that you finally have the courage to stand up and speak up for you and your family. I am shocked at how monstrous Sukanto is, doing anything to increase his wealth even at the cost of his own family. I don’t think he’s human, he’s just too evil. I hope justice will prevail for you and your family. Stay strong and God bless.
P.S: a suggestion/idea I have is for you to work with the media. Indonesian (especially the young and educated ones) are now demanding a change and a clean corrupt-free Indonesia. You can gain lots of attention and support to let your uncle get the punishment he deserves. I do believe karma exist.
Dear Wendy, It was shocking when I read what actually has happened to your family. If someone’s heart has fulfilled with greedy and love of money, he ingnores all things, even family relationship. I want to encourage you that God sees everything was going through. He has His own day to take a revenge and pusnish all evil, mean and ruthless men/ women. Be strong and take courage, God will comfort you.
Dear Wendy,
saya sangat setuju dengan semua yang kamu kemukakan, semuanya benar adanya. walaupun saya bukan seorang dari keluarga, tetapi saya tau kejadian itu semua dari cerita papa saya yang dulu bekerja di RGM.
saya masih ingat betul, setiap menjelang imlek, papa saya mengantar mama saya ke rmh taman polonia untuk memberikan kue lapis prunes kepada keluarga kamu.
menurut papa saya, memang papamu adalah orang yg jauh sangat baik dibandingkan dengan kedua paman kamu. sama sperti papanya p agus, papa saya juga sempat dicurigai melakukan penyelewengan di rgm, dimana saat itu byk pimpinan tinggi rgm yang disiksa dan dipecat, dan memang berkat jasa papamu, papa saya dinyatakan memang tidak terlibat dalam kasus di rgm.
ketika pesawat garuda yang membawa papamu jatuh, papa saya langsung ke sibolangit dan membantu membawa jenazah papamu ke medan…
yakinlah semuanya akan indah pada waktunya.
suatu saat pamanmu pasti akan mendapatkan apa yg memang pantas dia dapatkan dari Yang Diatas..
saya yakin, dengan kegigihanmu, Tuhan pasti akan memberikan jalan bagimu untuk menemukan keadilan bagi keluargamu, walau itu membutuhkan waktu yg tidak singkat. namun, yakinlah bagi Tuhan tak ada yg mustahil…keep spirit Wendy n God always bless u n ur fam
salam rindu dari papa dan mama saya untuk mamamu
Marcus Tio Family
Dear Antonius,
Thank you so much for your reply.
I’m really glad that I can reunite with you and your family after 17 years because of this blog. My mother said that dad talked about your father a lot. I’m very sure that your father is a very important member in the company, that’s why my dad stood up for him.
Lastly, I hope my story can make a difference to all the Indonesians and prevent same things happen to other people.
Dear Wendy,
Just believe in ‘Karma’ and get on with your life, there will be retribution to your uncle ‘Kang Ho’-Rajawali and we knew that you have told the truth (i knew some of your family member) and it has set you and your mom free. Judgement day from God will come later date.
Take care!
Itu Sukanto memang bukan manusia, dia itu sdh seperti manusia dgn hati binatang, bnyk yg udah tau sepal terjang dia, tapi percaya suatu hari malapetaka pasti jatuh kedia kalo tdk pasti keturunan dia, saya tahu persisi kejadian kamu Wendy, alot of people in Medan know yr story. Rest assured the day wll come for this bastard!!!!! May God bless u n family !! Justice no doubt 1 day wll prevail !!
Dear Mr. Lee,
Thanks for your reply.
I agree with you that Sukanto is a bastard that everyone in Indonesia knows.
My case is not an exception. I know Sukanto has done it to many families. A lot of people are still afraid to speak up for themselves.
I think I should be the first one to do this. I hope my actions will give other people courage. No one should stay silent in front of injustice.
Karma will come to his beloved one soon or later unless he is alone,be strong to fight Wendy..BBU always
Sign the petition to tell Thomas Robertson, Dean of Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania: Stop awarding medal to and receiving donation from Sukanto Tanoto
https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/wharton-school-university-of-pennsylvania-stop-awarding-medal-to-and-receiving-donation-from-sukanto-tanoto-2
Dear Roger,
Thanks for sharing the link.
I’ve also signed up for the petition and informed Dean Robertson about my family’s situation. I hope Wharton School can make the right decision not to ignore Sukanto’s corrupted practices outside the States.
Dear Wendy,
Saya baru habis membaca surat terbuka kamu…benar benar mengharukan…saya jadi terbayang kembali masa kecil saya disaat saya bersama Ayah/Ibu saya beberapa kali berkunjung ke Rumah kamu di Taman Polonia utk Bertemu Ayah kamu Pak.Polar…seingat saya Ayah kamu adalah seorang yg Sangat Baik dan Ramah…Almarhum Ibu saya juga sering cerita ke saya bahwa Pak.Polar LEBIH BAIK dari Pak.Sukanto…Dan saya juga teringat kembali masa masa dimana beberapa pimpinan tertinggi PT.RGM di sidang/disiksa/di pecat dlm kasus korupsi di PT.RGM (Ayah saya : LUKMAN adalah salah satu pimpinan di PT.RGM – BESITANG…juga di periksa…tapi berkat Pak.Polar yg percaya bahwa Ayah saya Jujur/Tidak Terlibat maka Ayah saya bisa terus bekerja di PT.RGM sampai masa Pensiun)…saat mendengar musibah kecelakaan pesawat yg di alami Ayah kamu , kami sekeluarga sangat sangat sedih….sebab Ayah kamu sangat baik.
Pada kesempatan ini kami sekeluarga ingin mendoakan agar Kamu beserta keluarga selalu diberikan KEBAHAGIAN oleh TUHAN YANG MAHA ESA
Oh ya..tolong sampaikan Salam kami pada Ibu kamu ya..mungkin Ibu kamu masih bisa Ingat Ayah/Ibu saya (Ayah saya : LUKMAN , almarhum Ibu saya: LIM SIU GIOK)
Dear Agus,
Of course we remember your family. Me and my mother miss the delicious pastries Aunty Lim used to make.
I’m sorry to hear about her passing. I hope your father is doing well and is enjoying his retirement.
Fighting against Sukanto is not a pleasant thing. But because of this, my family is able to be closer to each other, which makes us happier. We hope by writing about our story can somehow bring people’s awareness to the corrupted justice system in Indonesia. And Also give others the courage to tell their stories. Bribing and injustice really need to stop in Indonesia.
Indonesians sew mouths shut in protest over deforestation:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/post/indonesians-sew-mouths-shut-in-protest-over-deforestation/2012/01/03/gIQAFrrfYP_blog.html
Please help the villagers from Pulau Padang.
Dear Teguh,
Thanks for sharing the news link.
They are very admirable for having the courage to stand up against Sukanto and fight for their rights.
Let me know if there’s anything I can help in this matter.
Dear Wendy,
I live in Medan and I’ve heard of your family’s story. Some people here would secretly talk about how your uncle got hold of your family’s assets. I also learn that your family left Medan after you father’s accident but didn’t know the details.
But now I know it.
I’m very proud that you decided to share the story.
An an Indonesian. I am hoping to see some reform in our justice system.
I hope you can continue to write more posts, and I believe you will get the justice you deserve one day.
Hi Wendy,
Firstly sorry…. i felt you .Your true story surprising me…although i am not knowing you well but RGM…..???!!!! Everyone know about RGM but not all knowing behind the true story about the owner, include me.
But all the RIGHT THINGS in this world always come over ….. so keep believing and pray also … Action from you will be opened the right people behind you later on. We are human just can do our part, believe with God ….God will do God part. never never judge GOD whatever happen in your life.
I believe all people have story behind their life. How hard happend to us as our story ,we MUST accepted it …you want or not.
But remember our ACTION…. how to appreciate all we have as rest in our life is IMPORTANT an WORTHED …
Be CLEAVER and CLAIM DOWN …..ANGER can make us lost much more than.
In here i didnt advise you but i just asking as friend if you dont mind.
May be God will guide you how to pay all that pain u and your family feel .
Dear….God Love you and your family …….
HI Wendy,
sorry to hear what happened to you and your family.
If it all true then what I can suggest you is, pray…pray and pray. Until now I still believe that GOD will always right. GOD never give us something that we cant live with it. Trust me, if its not now, then sometimes later GOD will tell you His plan. And your uncle will have something from GOD, something that you can never imagine.
I’m a muslim. there’s a word that really powerful for you to be lived with it: IKLASH.
when you really can do that…… I believe you will live in peace.
btw, the crash plane which you father in it is Garuda. I’ve some friends also died on that crash. some of the cabin crew :(
I wish your father and all of them rest in peace. amin.
warm regards,
Dear Wendy
I’m one of ex-employee in your uncle pulp factory.
I decided to resign from that factory because i can’t handle to see forest destruction caused by soil expansion.
We have a joke for describing your uncle, that is when your uncle comes to plant so it will take a disaster, haha..
I’m so sorry to hear your story. Now, do your best and should be done. Keep the spirit of defending the rights that should be your right
We need to spread this around Squamish, British Columbia- my home and the very spot Sukanto is trying to put his disgusting LNG facility. My home is pristine, along gorgeous waters with orca whales. We have mountains and inlets and rainforest. That’s where he wants to put his facility! 1 km from the Britannia Beach residents and 7km from my doorstep. This man needs to be stopped!
I have posted this letter about Christy Clark’s partner in the LNG project and am encouraging others to also tell it. You should also look up Tanoto ‘s criminal and decious business background!
Dear Kristina,
Sukanto is not only going to destroy the nature of Squamish, he’s also a man who has a record of damaging human rights. In 2011, Rick Van Lee, an innocent Canadian engineer was being imprisoned by Sukanto in the dormitories, and later sent to jail for another 6 months in Indonesia. Rick was finally released with the help of the Canadian Embassy.
People who let him built factories on their lands all regret it.
I wish you and the people in Squamish can preserve the pristine nature you currently have.
someone puts this story in kaskus. therefore i can arrive here. i do not surprise at all with sukanto. he is bastard, a typical tycoon in soeharto era.
Sukanto is dumb, he has nothing but money, such a sad man. Nothing, not even good reputation. He is so sad, working under him sucks, I’m glad I’m out of that hell now
Hello there, just happened to stumble upon this blog from reddit. I do not know who this Sukanto guy is but I think that whether if he’s a millionaire or billionaire, he still shouldn’t have done all these. When will these greedy entrepreneurs stop destroying human’s faith and start acting like a proper human being? I hereby wish you all the best in dealing with this crap and may karma fall on those who deserve it.
I can feel how you feel.
My father also passed away in a car accident and it was very exhausting dealing with those lawyers that kept calling and asking us if we want to join the class suit to the car company.
Losing a family member in sudden accident is very hard, but I am very surprised at Mr. Sukanto Tanoto’s action. After the tragedy, rather than giving out a hand, he tore their wound even more, forcing them to focus on things they do not want to, not allowing them to rest from all of these changes in their lives.
I was already so psychologically exhausted after all of those lawyers called, but I cannot imagine how Ms Wendy go through all of this.
Thank you for staying strong Wendy, and please always do.
Dear Brinda,
Thanks for your reply.
I’m sorry to hear that you lost your your father.
I will stay strong and good luck with your life :)