Biography
Since the day of my birth, I have been surrounded by hard-working people. At a young age I learnt the value of dedication, and the importance of having a dream. My grandfather, Liem Seng Tee, founded the Sampoerna family business in 1913, and established Dji Sam Soe, a brand that is still strong after four generations. He was my role model, and taught me the business and family values that have shaped my life.
My wife, Katleen C. Liem, and I have been blessed with a happy family. We raised our two sons and two daughters to also share my grandfather’s values, to be proud of their successes, but at the same time modest and compassionate.
After I graduated from the University of Houston, Texas, Kathleen and I left the United States and moved to Singapore, where I set up and managed my family’s palm oil plantations. During the 1970’s I spent more and more time travelling between Singapore and Indonesia, as an advisor to our growing cigarette business. Eventually, in 1980, I moved with my family to Surabaya to focus full time on the PT HM Sampoerna company.
Indonesia has shaped who my family is today. We are a product of the traditions, cultures and people of Indonesia. Despite being born and educated abroad, I am still an Indonesian in my heart. For four generations, the Sampoerna family has enjoyed the prosperity of this rich country. I myself led the family business for 15 years and established several prominent brands. In 2005, I sold HM Sampoerna to leading American company, Philip Moris. I decided that this was the ideal time to develop other enterprises that will help our nation to develop—bio-energy, telecommunications, micro-finance, and others—as well as to focus more on giving something back to the people of Indonesia.
In 2001 I founded the Putera Sampoerna Foundation, which, chaired by my daughter Michelle, is dedicated to enhancing Indonesian society through four pillars: Education, Women’s Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Compassionate Relief. The Foundation is Indonesia’s first social business, and aims to be a catalyst for change while pursuing sustainability.
Through the Putera Sampoerna Foundation I hope to invest in innovative, effective and sustainable methods for improving the welfare of Indonesia, its communities and its people. By developing knowledgeable and compassionate future leaders, PSF is helping our nation to embrace the challenges and opportunities of global participation, while ensuring that a new generation of Indonesians can benefit from the business and family values that my grandfather believed were so important: wisdom, ambition and compassion.
Putera Sampoerna
Comments: 91
91 Responses to “Biography”
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Dear:
proud of u sir,
u are have a good role model…
i hope someday,i will get a good role model..
and i think u r my role model,cause u r the right figure for me…
nice opini… -
Dear Pak Putera,
I belief what you are doing. I put myself behind you for these concerns….bridging the disparity, grappling the weakers and doing something that useful to others.
Regards,
Muslich
Teacher on Arabic/Religion
SMAN Sumatera Selatan (Sampoerna Academy) -
Dear Pak Putera,
I would like to thank you for saving my family life. What you have been doing since 2001 through PSF are great! Thank you for adopting my high school in USP. Thank you for giving me a scholarship so that now I can study in Sampoerna School of Education. Thank you for giving a chance for Indonesian youth to spread our wings.
Hope you will always blessedRegards,
Firzie Ravasia
Math Ed. scholarship recipient 2009
Sampoerna School of Education -
Thank you Pak Putera for your nice advice. I’m so happy to know you as my role model.. And I Promise to myself and my family that I will be a good leader for this beautiful country. and Also all of my friends in Sampoerna Academy Malang.
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Hi, sir!! Thanks for everything. I’ve accepted in Sampoerna Foundation Academy this year. I will do my best to study there.
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I am so thankful my children are lucky to get a scholarship including Sampoerna Academy Bogor hopefully my children can follow the traces of the father, be a useful for the good of the people … like you .. aamiin
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Selamat Sore Pak Putera,
Saya orang indonesia dan saya bangga berbahasa indonesia,tapi saya juga mengakui bahasa english yang lebih sering digunakan.
saat adanya keinginan kuat, adanya harapan/impian tentang masa depan yang diawali dengan sebuah pembelajaran khususnya bidang pendidikan, saat itu pula ada halangan masalah keuangan dan kondisi lainnya yang membuat impian itu tertunda bahkan putus tanpa ujung. saat lulus SMA / SMK tapi lebih memilih kerja diusia muda dengan banyak pertimbangan. setelah kerja impian belajar tingkat lanjut/university itu masih ada tapi terhambat, apa yang menurut bapak harus saya lakukan?? pilihan pasti ada tapi pilihan apa yang terbaik menurut bapak??
di kampung saya banyak anak2 cerdas yang bernasib hampir sama, andainya saya juga bisa mendirikan yayasan pendidikan seperti bapak, saya juga ingin mencerdaskan SDM muda Indonesia ini.
usia saya 20th saya bekerja diperusahaan swasta tapi saya masih berkeinginan kuat untuk kuliah.
saya senang dikerjaan saya diajari oleh atasan saya tentang sebuah kepemimpinan,hubungan baik,saat sebelum/terjadi dan sesudah masalah datang, pengambilan keputusan yang baik,,sekarang saya seorang leader dikerjaan yang harus mengerti tentang bawahan dan menuruti atasan.
menurut bapak apakah dengan bekerja seperti ini saya juga bisa membangun sebuah leadership yang berkelanjutan tanpa teori/sekolah langsung kelapangan/prakteknya.terima kasih,saya berharap bapak bisa membalas postingan saya dengan banyak dan panjang lebar mungkin.
Siti N
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Pak Putera,
Congratulations on your website and the positive messages it conveys. You have a lot of valuable wisdom to share and I hope you get as much enjoyment by publishing this as it brings to those that read it.
My contribution to your Pearls of Wisdom would be: “How would the person that you want to be do what you are about to do?”
Wishing you all the best,
Ashley
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Pak putra suatu kehormatan bagi saya dan keluarga melihat kebrahasilan yg di capai keluarga sampoerna roko , kami bangga cita icita pendiri sampoerna sampai sekarang masih terjaga oleh keturunan dari keluarga sampoerna, suatu kehormatan bagi saya dan kelurga besar kami ( ang wan id ) u. Selalu mendoaakan agar cita keluarga tsb dapat terus di pertahankan . Salam dari saya dan keluarga besar ang wan id
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Turut berduka cita atas meniggalnya bapak Budi sampoerna, semoga seluruh keluarga dan keluarga besar Sampoerna diberi kekuatan . Dr. Keluarga besar Ang wan I’d. Di surabaya dan madiun.
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Turut berduka atas meninggalnya bpk Budi Sampurna,semoga keluarga tabah menghadapi cobaan ini.
Dari keluarga besar almarhum Winarno Danuatmodjo -
Dear Pak Putera,Prof. Mohd Yunus inspired me in the early 2000s to start a social enterprise in Indonesia and replicate the Grameen Bank model here. MBK Ventura, initially a foundation, and now a fully fledged venture capital company since 2007 and regulated by BAPEPAM-LK, is currently providing microcredit to some 270,000 low-income women in Java through a network of 170 branches as of August 2011. MBK Ventura is growing by around 8,000 clients a month, and can do a lot more with the right partners and role models. We would like to serve 1 million poor households as soon as possible. I believe your Foundation would be an ideal partner and leader of our institution, which now employs 1,400 employees, 1,380 of whom are also women. We were ranked #1 by MIXMarket in 2008 and again in 2009 (World Bank/CGAP) out of 1,300 microfinance institutions around the world. I would very much like to meet you in person to explore how your Foundation, with our relatively small contribution, can provide microfinance services to several millions of low-income households in Java and Outer Java, who remain excluded from the formal financial sector. I have made initial contact with your organization through Boston Consulting a few years ago, and more recently with Budiman Wikarsa. I have also spoken to Thierry Sanders and Stijn Albregts of Bid Network a few weeks ago. I look forward to your hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Shafiq.
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I have had three mentors in my career. You were my third and, IMHO, the best. I’m pleased to have known you and wish you, your family, and foundations the best wishes I can.
Sincerely,
RAWoD
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nice post sir,
you are such a good talent people, i mean perhaps you can write more about your opinion about Indonesia
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Menarik, posting dalam bahasa Indonesia tapi komentatornya bahasa Inggris semua. Ada apa gerangan?
Kerja keras dan tradisi keluarga Anda, saya salut
Keputusan untuk beralih, saya salut
Tapi yang luar biasa, kesediaan Anda untuk membuat blog personal.
Tak banyak orang yang terbang tinggi, ingin tetap menjejakkan kaki di bumi
Terima kasih Pak buat inspirasinya -
Luar biasa, dengan kesibukan yang sulit saya bayangkan, anda mau meluangkan weaktu untuk sekedar berbagi melalui media blog ini,,,ini akan menjadi sangat luar biasa jika anda tetap konsisten untuk berbagi informasi di blog ini.
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Kisah hidup bapak menarik, tapi yang lebih menarik adalah bagaimana dinamika hidup itu memberi pengaruh pada pertumbuhan kepribadian bapak.
Saya yakin jika pengalaman hidup bapak distrukturkan menjadi semacam tapak kaki maka akan banyak orang yang bisa mereplikasi kesuksesan bapak.
Saya harap melalui blog ini pembaca bisa mendapati jejak langkah bapak. -
Pak Putera,
what a great biography. very inspiring..
BTW, Happy birthday pak, wishing you the very best.-RaDitie
SMAN Sumsel (Sampoerna Academy) -
Kepada Bapak Putera, saya mahasiswa akademi pimpinan perusahaan jakarta ingin membuat tugas biografi tentang bapak dan tentang perusahaan bapak, oleh karena itu saya meminta kesediaan bapak untuk di wawancaraai dalam pengerjaan tugas saya tersebut.
terima kasihnico
mahasiswa akademi pimpinan perusahaan
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Happy Birthday Pak Putera. Thanks for all the support and guidance that you’ve given to us here in SA Bali. Wishing you a blessed birthday!
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Happy Birthday Pak Putera. Wishing you success and happiness always. (Agustiana, SA Bali)
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You are a great person Pak Putera. I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to study in SA Bali. Thank you for everything, Sir. Wishing you a wonderful birthday!
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Dear Mr Putera,
I’m verry happy to say Happy birthday to you, Sir! In this time you have helped so many people. You are also help me so much. Thanks for that. That’s amazing ,Sir! I hope God always bless you….
Sincerely,
Winda SA Malang -
Dear Mr. Putra,
Thanks for all of your contribution for Indonesian student, and happy birthday… wish you all the best that god may given. Your contribution never forgotten -
Happy birthday to you sir

Wish you all the best! Thank you for everything you give to us. Keep spirit ^^-Hanna-
Sampoerna Academy Malang -
We’re students of Sampoerna Academy Bali ^_^
we’ve waiting for this day to say happy birthday to you, Pak Putera. We wish you have a great life more than ever. We also wish that God will bless you, whenever and wherever you are. Thanks for everything that you’ve given to us, hopefully u always in an amazing condition, we also wait for your visit.
Lots of love for you and your family.
wish u all the best
happy birthday !
xxx -
Happy birthday Pak Putera, we are wishing you a glorious birthday. Burn us with the same fire of motivation.
SA Bali
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Happy Birthday Pak Putera,
Thanks very much for your scholarship and support that given to us here in SA Bali, -
Dear Mr. Putera
happy birthday Sir. I hope you can reach all of your dreams which haven’t come true. Always get the best for you. I really proud of you because I think your life is so meaningful. I want to say thanks so much for your scholarship program. Hopefully sampoerna academy can create good leader in the future
(Sampoerna Academy Malang) -
Happy birthday to you sir

Wish you all the best. Thank you so much for everything you give to us. your kindness really meaningful to us
Keep spirit!-Hanna-
SMAN 10 Malang (Sampoerna Academy) -
Dear Sir:
I admire not just your philanthropic deeds, but moreso, the effort you are exerting in managing and maintaining a personal blog. This is not an easy feat for a person of your stature, but I have been reading your posts and i find them to be very interesting, useful and inspiring.
Keep it up Sir and good luck on all your endeavors.
Achie -
Pak, setelah membaca biography Bapak, air mata saya mengalir tanpa saya sadari dan bibir saya tersenyum sendiri tanpa diperintah..
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Dear Pak Putera,
It’s a real honor to be part of your team, especially knowing your passion to develop this lovely country by giving back to the people. Your move of giving up cigarette business in exchange of future businesses was really awesome and inspiring, despite the challenges that have to be faced going forward. Keep the spirit burning Pak, to all levels of your member companies.
Together we can make a difference Sir, I’m all yours.
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sebuah inspirasi, bukan hanya sekedar berbagi tetapi perjalanan hidup manusia yang bisa menjadi bukti kebasaran sang Pencipta..semoga selalu menjadi inspirasi kita semua..
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Hello,
I am an 8th grade American student in Singapore. I have lived here for 9 years. i have traveled to indonesia a number of times with my family. It is our favorite country in SE Asia because of its beautiful people and land and sea. I have even visited the Sampoena factory in Surabaya while on a trip to Mt. Bromo and Malang. I am leading a housebuilding trip to Batam through Habitat for Humanity. Other 8th graders will be joining me. It is a Service Learning project. I am wondering if you would be interested in helping to assist us to raise funds for the building supplies. We are very eager to help improve the living conditions in a village there. Thank you very much, Liam Stanton -
Dear Pak Putera, I am so thrilled with your openness by making this personal blog, having so accessible to everyone… I am very happy with your decission of getting out of cigarette business. I wish you have the fifth pillar in your foundation: ENVIRONMENT, I believe environmental issues is very crucial in this nation. I, myself, is currently working as environmental science teacher at Tunas Muda International School. I graduated from Oral Roberts University, USA and now, applying for doctoral degree from University of Indonesia in environmental science. The nation should realize that environmental education to next generation as early as possible (started at preschool) is very vital issue that our government failed to notice. Global worming and all of its domino effects is rolling, this nation should prepare how to cope with it. I hope, one day, you can open a full enviromental based school in Indonesia. I will be supporting you all the way….God Bless.
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Dear Pak Putera,
I sent you a comment earlier this morning, was uploaded for a while but I couldn’t find it on this blog now…. Anyway, just want to add further about my thought about environmental education to be applied in efficient way. Currently I am teaching year 10,11 and 12 at international school, which is using full IB program. I found it to be very good since IB assess student very detail in the most comprehensive manner, therefore, much knowledge retained effectively. Although it is sound too exclusive to pay attention to international school, but these are future decision makers that we try to educate, trend and culture flows from above… Isn’t it… Just a thought Pak… My dream to see this nation to be properly educated environmentally . God bless you -
Pak Putra,
As a former employee of PSF (SF Teacher’s Institute, back in the day), allow me to thank you for providing me with the opportunity to better my country through education. Not only the education that I provided to others but, more importantly, the education that was provided to me by them as well.
My time with your foundation was a memorable experience indeed.
Regards,
Marc -
“mengetahui pentingnya memiliki sebuah impian”
semoga banyak anak INDONESIA yang memiliki “impiannya”
yuuk..Bermimpi…!!!wasallam.
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Dear Mr. Sampoerna
I just want to express my gratitude for being so generous
with your wealth, skills set, wisdom and time to established PDF.I was grew in Surabaya and fortunately I knew Sampoerna.family
personally and they are so.down to earth and.humble and always
giving to the needy.May God will.bless all your family with good health, happiness and
long life. -
Dear Pak Putera Sampoerna
hopefully Sampoena father is always in God’s Love ….. I was writing a thesis on the theme “Peace Values in Dewa Ruci Story Puppets” is there any assistance from the Foundation? thank you
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Because one of your program (SF Astro Kasih) I feel very supported to reach my goal, thank you sir
regards
President SFSC Bali -
Saya mengikuti “secara diam2″ perjalanan hidup beliau mulai tahun 1992 ketika saya bekerja di Koperasi PT. HM Sampoerna Rungkut Industri. Banyak sekali pelajaran yang saya dapatkan. Mulai bagaimana beliau mengembangkan Usaha rokok dari kakeknya hingga sekarang. Bayangkan … Tahun 1994 Aset Sampoerna “hanya” sekitar 300 Milyar… Tapi Tahun 2005 Beliau bisa Menjual Sampoerna 50 TRILYUN… Fantastis sekali…. Dan Satu Hal yang selalu saya ingat kata2 beliau kalau kita membangun sebuah usaha…Bukan seberapa cepat kita mendapatkan keuntungan tapi Seberapa lama kita bertahan bila awal perjalanan sebuah usaha belum menghasilkan keuntungan… Putera Sampoerna Adalah sosok yang benar2 sempurna bagi saya… Sebelum orang2 punya heli … Beliau sudah Punya… Sebelum orang orang punja Jet Pribadi Beliau Punya GIV… Bahkan Sekarang Memiliki Boeing Big Top…. Gedung Mewahnya Sampoerna Strategic Square, Sampoerna Agro… dll adalah bukti nyata keberhasilan beliau… Dan Satu hal yang membuat saya sangat bangga…. BELAH DADA PUTERA SAMPOERNA…. AKAN KAU TEMUKAN MERAH PUTIH DISANA ….. SUKSES SELALU PAK…..
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Putera Sampoerna Begitu Hebat dalam Pencitraan… Satu hal yang kita para Pemuda harus banyak belajar dari beliau… Marching Band Sampoerna …Tidak banyak Pengusaha yang berani mengambil resiko dengan merogoh kocek cukup dalam hanya untuk sebuah pencitraan….Tapi lihatlah hasilnya… Bukan hanya Indonesia… Pasadena pun Jadi Tahu bahwa Indonesia itu ada…. Saya Rindu Terobosan terobosan terbaru dari seorang Putera Sampoerna.. terutama Usaha untuk mengembangkan usaha mikro… Koperasi untuk Rakyat Misalnya…
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I got to know this blog whilst flipping the pages of forbes asia magazine..after reading the blog and the comments made by people whom you have directly and inderectly helped.. I have just a few words to say, you inspire me sir.. I hope my business will grow as good as the Sampoerna family (God willing)..Like the blog and the pearl of wisdom..the younger generation will learn a lot from your shared experience. Regards from the neighbouring contry.
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Dear Pak Putera
I read about your Foundation with great interest. I’ll be visiting Jakarta for the first time this week and is wondering if I can pay a visit to your Foundation.CASE (Council for Advancement and Support for Education, http://www.case.org) is headquartered in DC. We provide resources and training in the areas of alumni relations, marketing communications and fundraising. CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education. We provide a variety of advancement products and services, provides standards and an ethical framework for the profession
I hope to share with you and your staff more about CASE.
Regards
Chua BH -
I’m proud of this blog which is can give motivation for me specially and sampoerna palembang.
thanks for all the things that bapak has given to us here.
you characters and role is very great for my,you are my first model to be follow by me pak.
as a student, i will show all the positive things that i could do pak.. -
Dear Pak Putera Sampoerna,
A good acquaintaince of mine, Mas Fickry, recommended me to visit your blog and I would say that I’m happy to be here.
I have heard about the generous contributions you have made throughout your life. I would definitely say that a lot of changes leading to the enhancement of our nation are more than likely if only more of our fellow countrymen were just like you. For all you have done to put the smiles in the face of those children and young people, my sincere pray goes to Him to bestow you with health, hope, faith, and love.
I wish you to maintain the strong efforts and endless dedication you have shown to empower the lives of Indonesian people through various means of educational scholarships.
Looking at the great role model you have set, it has come to my mind that the time has come that we Indonesians are able to stand equally to other nations. It is my belief that we could contribute to humanity in a great cause we’re making and the work we’re doing. My dream in becoming an international writer has been constantly shaped and refined by learning from great individuals including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Bono U2, Angelina Jolie, President Soekarno, and yourself. It is my mid-term goal that one day people will happily visit Indonesia after reading my books the way the world is now happy to visit Brazil after reading Paulo Coelho. And it is also my goal to become a great humanitarian like you, contributing to humanity in ways I could possibly do. For all of the inspirations you have set, I once again extend my sincere gratitude.
It is truly a privilege for me to write me this email to you and rest assured I am enthralled to be waiting for your reply.
Kind regards,
Subhan Zein
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Salam Pak Putera sampoerna,
Terus Terang saya baru tahu jikalau bapak tidak lagi berada di industri rokok ternyata saham nya sudah di jual, saya mengenal blog ini dari ms fickri salah satu dari staff bapak di PSF,,
Saya tekesimah sekali terhadap program program yang bapak lakukan ini, saya berharap sekali bahwa program2 bapak ini nantinya akan melahirkan putera puteri yang lebih berkompeten yang mampu bersaing di level internasional,tentunya ini akan membawa baik nama Indonesia di kancah dunia..
Saya ada beberapa pertanyaan untuk bapak
sebelumnya saya mintak maaf bila ternyata pertanyaan yg saya ajukan sudah ada jawabannya dan belum terbaca oleh saya,,1. Apakah Bapak menyediakan Lahan Gratis untuk pendidikan bagi anak yang kurang mampu ? ( Tidak hanya yang berprestasi, tetapi yang memiliki kemauan belajar )
2. Apakah Bapak mempunyai Rencana untuk membuka cabang PSF di Provinsi lainnya ?
3. Jika saya memiliki sebuah Rencana mengadakan seminar dan mengundang bapak sebagai pembicara prosedur apa yang saya harus ikuti ?
itu saja pertanyaan saya Terima kasih, (mohon dijawab menggunakan bahasa Indonesia,)
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Pak Putra Sampoerna,
Sukses selalu buat bapak dimanapun bpk berkarya, saya adalah salah satu karyawan bpk yg sdh mengambil pensiun dini karena mendampingi istri yg bertugas di KJRI Los Angeles CA-USA kita akan berjumpa dalam acara (CID) CONGRESS OF INDONESIAN DIASPORA yg akan diselenggarakan tgl 6 sd 8 Juli 2012
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Untuk menjaga kebugaran tubuh sebaiknya Bpk Putera mengikuti olah nafas Tetada Indonesia ( selama ini di LA sdh banyak anggota kami yg sembuh dari berbagai penyakit seperti gula darah, kolesterol, asam urat dll )
selamat mencoba
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Dear Putera Sampoerna and family,
I got my hands on the beautiful book Michelle wrote ‘The Sampoerna Legacy’ and what a great book. You and the Sampoerna Family are a BIG ROLE MODEL to today’s society and generations to come. Congratulations on the book Michelle and Mr. Putera Sampoerna,I had the privilege to work for your company in Brazil back in the late 90’s when we are trying to establish the brand over in São Paulo. It was a great opportunity and I am sorry it did not last for too long. I left Sampoerna Brazil in 2001 and moved to Denver, Colorado. I will try to visit Texas one day.
Best Wishes to you and your family all over the world.
Thank you!Regards,
Adriana -
Mr. Putera Sampoerna,
I salute you for everything that you have done for Indonesia.Your role model, Mr. Liem Seng Tee is also my favorite role model for his very hard work mentality and total dedication to what he has done. Your decision to sell the cigarette business and move to other business fields that will make Indonesia be more developed is such a brilliant decision. I always hope the best for Sampoerna family’s business and activities. -
Mr. Putera Sampoerna, U’re one of the greatest persons in Indonesia. Proud to have U. Love your thougts!!!

Dear Pak Putera,
I do thank God and thank you for helping me by becoming a member of Putera Sampoerna Foundation family…Hopefully, we all could contribute more to Indonesia….
Liem Seng Tee becomes your role model, and I think you are the right figure to become our role model
Regards,
Nicholas
PSF UI Intake 2006