March 19, 2026 | 05:09 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian tycoon Michael Bambang Hartono, co-owner of tobacco giant Djarum Group and one of the country’s most influential businessmen, died on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the age of 86. The company said he died at 01:15 PM Singapore time.
The news was confirmed by Djarum Group Corporate Communication Senior Manager Budi Darmawan.
“The entire PT Djarum family deeply mourns the passing of our leader, Mr. Michael Bambang Hartono, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 01:15 PM Singapore time,” Budi said when contacted on Thursday.
He added that the company was still awaiting information from the family regarding funeral arrangements, including the location and burial schedule.
Michael Bambang Hartono was widely known as the longtime leader and co-owner of Djarum, one of Indonesia’s largest clove cigarette manufacturers. He was the son of Oei Wie Gwan, the founder of PT Djarum in Kudus, Central Java.
After Oei died in 1963, Michael and his younger brother, Robert Budi Hartono, took over the business and expanded it into one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates, with interests spanning tobacco, banking, electronics, plantations, and property.
Under the Hartono brothers, Djarum grew beyond Indonesia and became a major corporate force in Southeast Asia. The family is also known as the controlling shareholder of PT Bank Central Asia (BCA), Indonesia’s largest private lender by market value.
Michael Hartono was frequently listed among Indonesia’s richest people and was regarded as one of the country’s most prominent business figures.
Beyond business, Michael was also known in sports as a national bridge athlete. He represented Indonesia in international competitions and was recognized as one of the country’s senior sporting figures, including at the 2018 Asian Games.
As of Thursday afternoon, the cause of death had not been disclosed publicly.
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