Mayapada Group explores new boundaries

Synonymous with "universe" in Sanskrit, Mayapada Group lives up to its name as it continues to expand into new territories. Encompassing the finance, property development, health care, retail and media industries, it is on the cusp of change - and behind it is founder Dr Tahir, a man many consider to be bigger than the conglomerate itself.

To trace the success of Mayapada Group is to tell the story of Tahir, who goes by one name yet is known by so many: visionary, banker, karate black belter, father, philanthropist and devout Christian, among others. Ranking 15th in Forbes' list of Indonesia's richest, Tahir believes that the key lies in ceaselessly improving himself while staying true to his philosophy, be it for business or personal growth.

"Technology, people and everything else change, that is why I also always upgrade my philosophy," Tahir says. "At 60, what remain unchanged are my morals, integrity and principles."

Born in Surabaya, Tahir has been entrepreneurial as early as his college years. He worked hard initially for the sole purpose of supporting his education and upholding his family responsibilities. As he continued to learn the trade, however, his goals grew bigger and gained more purpose.

But it is not a case of the Midas touch. The success of Mayapada Group is the result of a lifetime of hard work that has had its fair share of failures and difficulties. One of which is Tahir's failed car dealership business in the 1980s, which cost him nearly all the assets he was able to build before it.

"My mistakes taught me to never go into any business that I could not afford to lose. Anything done in the extreme will have the opposite impact," Tahir says. "This principle continues to guide me as my compass, both in life and business."

Tahir applied this principle when he established Bank Mayapada in 1990, a few years before the 1997 Asian financial crisis crippled Indonesia's economy. While the nation's leading banks came tumbling down, Bank Mayapada emerged not only unscathed, but profitable and stronger.