Early Life and Education
Siti Hartati Tjakra Murdaya, also known as Chow Li Ing, was born on August 29, 1946, in Jakarta, Indonesia. She grew up in a devout Buddhist family and was the eldest of seven children. Hartati studied economics at Trisakti University, graduating in 1971. She also attended executive programs at Stanford University and the National University of Singapore.
Rise to Success
After graduating, Hartati initially worked as a general manager in her father's sawmill company. In 1972, she married Murdaya Widyawimarta Poo, and together they built a business empire. She founded PT Central Cipta Murdaya (CCM) in 1984. CCM has grown into a large holding company with investments in various sectors, including engineering, IT, palm oil, and real estate. Hartati is also known for her ownership of the Jakarta International Expo, one of the city's largest convention centers.
Key Business Strategies
Hartati's business acumen is evident in her strategic moves, such as partnering with the Nike brand in 1988 to produce sports shoes through PT Hardaya Aneka Shoes Industry. She expanded her business interests into property development, plantation, and construction.
Philanthropy
Hartati is known for her philanthropic activities, particularly through her leadership role as the head of WALUBI (Perwakilan Umat Buddha Indonesia). Under her leadership, WALUBI has been involved in post-disaster relief work, as well as medical missions offering free treatments to thousands of patients. She actively participates in these missions.
