Crony Capitalism Built Indonesia's Biggest Business Empire

At its peak, Indonesia's Salim Group was a $22 billion giant - the country’s biggest business group.

Its founder and top boss Liem Sioe Liong - also called Sudono Salim - was Southeast Asia's richest man. 

Salim Group's incredible rise came on the back of the company’s personal connection to the authoritarian leader Suharto. 

A personal friend of Liem, the dictator leaned on the company as one of its core collaborators. 

Few companies dominated a single country like Salim's companies did Indonesia until the Asian Financial Crisis. This is its story.