Hasan, Muhammad (‘Bob’)

Indonesian entrepreneur of Chinese descent and long-time friend and financial advisor of President Suharto. During the Indonesian revolution for independence Hasan supplied the rebel army with provisions and introduced Suharto to senior officers. Suharto later rewarded him with trade concessions and Hasan came to dominate Indonesia's timber and plywood industries. In 1997 he took over Astra International, Indonesia's second biggest company, and in 1998 was made trade minister. He was replaced shortly after Suharto resigned in May 1998.