JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Prajogo Pangestu, a prominent Indonesian entrepreneur, has been named among the 24 super billionaires globally, according to a report by Altrata. With a net worth of US$ 55.4 billion (IDR 912.8 trillion), Prajogo is the only Indonesian to make this prestigious list.

He ranks 24th globally in terms of wealth, and this list consists of individuals whose net worth exceeds US$ 50 billion.

At the top of this exclusive list is Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, with a fortune of US$ 419 billion (IDR 6,903 trillion). He is followed by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, with a net worth of US$ 263.8 billion (IDR 4,346.5 trillion), and Bernard Arnault, owner of LVMH, who holds a wealth of US$ 238.9 billion (IDR 3,936.2 trillion).

This year’s super billionaires’ list marks a dramatic shift in global wealth distribution. The total combined wealth of these 24 individuals reached a staggering US$ 3.3 trillion, which is equivalent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of France. These individuals now account for over 16% of the world’s billionaire wealth, a significant increase from just 4% in 2014.

Prajogo Pangestu’s fortune stems from his control over the Barito Pacific Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in energy, petrochemicals, and mining. His companies play a significant role in Indonesia’s industrial sector, and the success of his businesses has propelled him into the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals.

Prajogo’s inclusion in the super billionaires list highlights the growing influence of Indonesian entrepreneurs on the global stage. His position underscores Indonesia’s economic potential, especially in sectors like energy and natural resources, where Prajogo has seen substantial growth in his wealth.

The majority of super billionaires owe their fortune to sectors that have flourished thanks to technological advancements. For example, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and others in the list come from industries like technology and e-commerce, where the rapid expansion of digital platforms has greatly increased the wealth of those involved.

In 1987, Forbes published its first-ever list of billionaires, which included Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, a Japanese real estate mogul with a net worth of US$ 20 billion (IDR 329.53 trillion). Today, Musk’s wealth is 21 times greater than Tsutsumi’s, reflecting the explosive rise in wealth among modern-day billionaires, particularly in the tech sector.

Among the 24 super billionaires, 16 of them are categorized as centi-billionaires, each with a fortune exceeding US$ 100 billion (IDR 1,647.6 trillion). This reflects how technology and related industries have become the dominant force in wealth accumulation, with many of these billionaires controlling companies that have transformed entire industries. (Uki Ruknuddin)