Big Business and Big Corruption in Indonesia

   Some of the the biggest American brands are being boycotted in places like Jakarta Indonesia all because of the influence that one rich man holds who goes by the name of Syjamsul Nursalim. This business tycoon embezzled over $607 million U.S. dollars from his own bank, BDNI, during the financial crisis in Asia that happened in 1997 with the subsequent Jakarta riots. After channeling his cash to offshore accounts, BDNI customers made a run on their accounts. Nursalim then convinced the state bank to bail out his flailing business to the tune of over $2.5 billion. He was indicted and imprisoned in April 2001 by Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office, but oddly Nursalim was granted medical leave to go to Japan for treatment shortly after. But since then he hasn't returned and its unclear why Indonesia's Attorney General's Office hasn't pursued him since. (maybe he tipped off the police.) Now Nursalim is free and filthy rich with a personal wealth of over $950million sitting comfortably in Singapore while 100 million Indonesians scrape by on $2 a day. The brands he owns under his primary company include brands like Starbucks, Burger King, and Zara among many other well known American brands. Jakarta has more malls than any other city in the world, and in order to compete, they need the big brands. While many latte-sipping Indonesians are unaware of Nursalim’s involvement, the green and white giant cannot plead the same ignorance. Insider sources gave info to Vice have also confirmed that Starbucks knew full well about Nursalim's underhand activities before they formed their highly profitable partnership. But not everyone is willing to support the relentless lining of Nursalim’s bulging pockets. Bambang Harymurti, CEO of one of Indonesia’s oldest news organisations, renowned upholder of the free press and qualified astronaut, is leading the charge. Bambang, who likes his coffee strong and tasty, continues to pass the truth about Nursalim (and other such cronies) onto his young generation of journalists in an attempt to make them more socially conscious. He, and many of his staff, now boycott Starbucks and the other brands of Nursalim to make an example of those Indonesians who have benefited while others have suffered.