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The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
New foundation of Indonesian gold tycoon in Singapore gives underserved causes a boost
SINGAPORE: Indonesian gold mining magnate Jimmy Budiarto, 48, and his wife Yohana Limarno are no strangers to philanthropy. Limarno, 47, founded WonderFood and WonderSchool, which are non-profit organisations that offer food and education to underserved communities in Indonesia. After relocating to Singapore in 2023 with hopes of settling down here, the Budiartos set up the Rao Family Foundation a year later to support charitable causes. 'Rao' is Budiarto's Chinese surname, reflecting his Indonesian-Chinese heritage, said James Zou, a director at the foundation. Registered as a charity in January 2025, the Rao Family Foundation is among a growing number of philanthropic foundations set up by the super-wealthy from all over the world in Singapore in the past three years. These include the Dalio Foundation by American hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio and his family, the Elaine and Eduardo Saverin Foundation by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, and Indonesian coal tycoon Low Tuck Kwong's foundation bearing his name. The Budiartos have three children, aged between 16 and 20, and the younger two are studying in Singapore. Zou said: 'They love Singapore. It has a strong Chinese culture and a good balance of East and West.' 'Budiarto loves nature and to walk in the parks, and there are plenty of parks in Singapore for him to walk.' He described Budiarto, the chairman of J Resources, as a very generous and warm person. J Resources, which currently operates five gold mines, had a revenue of US$236 million as at the end of 2024. Budiarto is the majority shareholder of the company, which is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Zou said the Budiartos have a family office in Singapore as well, and they hope the Rao Family Foundation can continue their charitable giving for generations to come. One area the foundation is supporting is autism. This is because some senior staff at J Resources have children with autism and Budiarto has seen their challenges, Zou said. The tragedy involving a father who killed his twin autistic sons in 2022 also saddened Budiarto, and he had asked Zou if they could do something to help ease the burden of parents with autistic children. Zou said there are fewer resources and services for individuals with disabilities after they turn 18 years of age, and the foundation sees its role as plugging critical gaps and being a forerunner in advancing under-represented causes. He added: 'We want to bring light to the dark, in areas where there are fewer donations.' To this end, the foundation partnered St Andrew's Autism Centre (SAAC) to launch the Centre of Advocacy and Public Education in July 2024. SAAC's chief executive Bernard Chew said the aim of the centre is to 'foster understanding and shift perceptions so that people with autism are accepted, embraced and given opportunities like anyone else'. He added: 'This work matters because many people with autism and their families continue to face misunderstanding, exclusion, and limited access to the support and opportunities they need for a better quality of life.' For example, the Centre of Advocacy and Public Education is working with various organisations to build a more inclusive environment for people with autism, Zou said. Chew said that it is uncommon for donors here to fund advocacy efforts, as they typically prefer to fund programmes and services for beneficiaries. The foundation is also funding CaringSG's Carewell programme, where caregivers of people with autism are supported by a trained professional in their caregiving roles in various ways. CaringSG is a charity that supports caregivers of people with disabilities. While MZou declined to reveal the extent of Budiarto's wealth, he said that Budiarto's father is Johan Lensa, the former owner of Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama, a firm that was once among Indonesia's largest coal mining contractors. Zou said: 'We want to inspire other family offices to contribute to society. If every family is to adopt just one cause – guided not by obligation but by compassion – we believe the collective impact would be extraordinary.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Gold mining baron Jimmy Budiarto starts foundation in S'pore
Indonesian gold mining magnate Jimmy Budiarto set up the Rao Family Foundation with his wife to support charitable causes. PHOTO: RAO FAMILY FOUNDATION Indonesian gold tycoon's new foundation in Singapore gives underserved causes a boost SINGAPORE - Indonesian gold mining magnate Jimmy Budiarto, 48, and his wife Yohana Limarno are no strangers to philanthropy. Ms Limarno, 47, founded WonderFood and WonderSchool, which are non-profit organisations that offer food and education to underserved communities in Indonesia. After relocating to Singapore in 2023 with hopes of settling down here, the Budiartos set up the Rao Family Foundation a year later to support charitable causes. 'Rao' is Mr Budiarto's Chinese surname, reflecting his Indonesian-Chinese heritage, said Mr James Zou, a director at the foundation. Registered as a charity in January 2025, the Rao Family Foundation is among a growing number of philanthropic foundations set up by the super-wealthy from all over the world in Singapore in the past three years. These include the Dalio Foundation by American hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio and his family, the Elaine and Eduardo Saverin Foundation by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, and Indonesian coal tycoon Low Tuck Kwong's foundation bearing his name. The Budiartos have three children, aged between 16 and 20, and the younger two are studying in Singapore. Mr Zou said: 'They love Singapore. It has a strong Chinese culture and a good balance of East and West.' 'Mr Budiarto loves nature and to walk in the parks, and there are plenty of parks in Singapore for him to walk.' He described Mr Budiarto, the chairman of J Resources, as a very generous and warm person. J Resources, which currently operates five gold mines, had a revenue of US$236 million (S$303 million) as at the end of 2024. Mr Budiarto is the majority shareholder of the company, which is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Mr Zou said the Budiartos have a family office in Singapore as well , and they hope the Rao Family Foundation can continue their charitable giving for generations to come . One area the foundation is supporting is autism. This is because some senior staff at J Resources have children with autism and Mr Budiarto has seen their challenges, Mr Zou said. The tragedy involving a father who killed his twin autistic sons in 2022 also saddened Mr Budiarto, and he had asked Mr Zou if they could do something to help ease the burden of parents with autistic children. Mr Zou said there are fewer resources and services for individuals with disabilities after they turn 18 years of age, and the foundation sees its role as plugging critical gaps and being a forerunner in advancing under-represented causes. He added: 'We want to bring light to the dark, in areas where there are fewer donations.' To this end, the foundation partnered St Andrew's Autism Centre (SAAC) to launch the Centre of Advocacy and Public Education in July 2024. SAAC's chief executive Bernard Chew said the aim of the centre is to 'foster understanding and shift perceptions so that people with autism are accepted, embraced and given opportunities like anyone else'. He added: 'This work matters because many people with autism and their families continue to face misunderstanding, exclusion, and limited access to the support and opportunities they need for a better quality of life.' For example, the Centre of Advocacy and Public Education is working with various organisations to build a more inclusive environment for people with autism, Mr Zou said. Mr Chew said that it is uncommon for donors here to fund advocacy efforts, as they typically prefer to fund programmes and services for beneficiaries. The foundation is also funding CaringSG's Carewell programme, where caregivers of people with autism are supported by a trained professional in their caregiving roles in various ways . CaringSG is a charity that supports caregivers of people with disabilities. In 2024, the foundation donated $300,000, of which $200,000 was given to the SAAC, $80,000 to CaringSG and $20,000 to Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mr Zou said. In February 2025, the foundation also committed $1 million to the Community Chest to support various causes. While Mr Zou declined to reveal the extent of Mr Budiarto's wealth, he said that Mr Budiarto's father is Mr Johan Lensa, the former owner of Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama, a firm that was once among Indonesia's largest coal mining contractors. Mr Zou said: 'We want to inspire other family offices to contribute to society. If every family is to adopt just one cause – guided not by obligation but by compassion – we believe the collective impact would be extraordinary.' Theresa Tan is senior social affairs correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers issues that affect families, youth and vulnerable groups. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Leaders
09-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Makkah Public Security Awarded ISO Certifications for Surveillance, Information Security
The General Directorate of Communications Systems at the Public Security in Makkah has received two international ISO certifications from the Saudi Accreditation Center (SAAC) for its CCTV and electronic surveillance systems. These certifications validate the department's adherence to the standards of the Information Security Management System, underscoring its commitment to maintaining robust security practices. This accomplishment adds to the growing list of successes by the Public Security Departments, which have previously earned multiple ISO accreditations across various disciplines—demonstrating their ongoing dedication to excellence in quality and information security. Related Topics : Board of Grievances Attains ISO 20000 Certification for IT Service Management Meet Ahmad bin Askar, Chief Communication Officer at Sports Boulevard Foundation Saudi Communications & Space Authority's 2023 Achievements: Year in Review Masaader Al-Jazeera Earns ISO 27001 (ISMS) Certificate Short link : Post Views: 12 Related Stories
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Shelby American Revives GT350 for 2025; Win Serial Number 50 through SAAC Fundraiser
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Shelby American is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic GT350 by unveiling a brand-new, supercharged 2025 edition—the most powerful GT350 ever produced. Enthusiasts now have the unique opportunity to win serial number 50 through a special fundraising drawing organized by the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC). Equipped with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering a staggering 810 horsepower, the 2025 Shelby GT350 has been carefully engineered for exceptional performance. Shelby engineers have upgraded suspension components and installed a high-performance exhaust system to manage the vehicle's newfound power. A comprehensive aerodynamic package ensures maximum stability at high speeds. The latest GT350 pays homage to Shelby's heritage with design features such as 60th anniversary badging, exclusive carbon fiber trim, and a functional aluminum hood equipped with heat extraction vents. Inside, the cabin blends Shelby's legacy with modern comforts, creating a cockpit suited to both spirited track use and comfortable cruising. Limited production will heighten the GT350's desirability among collectors, but Shelby fans have a unique opportunity: Serial Number 50 of this limited run is being offered as the prize in a fundraising giveaway conducted by the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC). Proceeds from donations will benefit SAAC, the organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of Carroll Shelby and Shelby American vehicles. The giveaway represents an exciting chance for enthusiasts to own a piece of Shelby history, particularly this special 50th serial number edition. The SAAC encourages participation, highlighting that even a modest donation can secure a ticket in the drawing. As Shelby American continues its tradition of creating legendary high-performance machines, the 2025 GT350 not only honors the past but also looks to set new standards for American muscle cars. Entries into the drawing are open now through the SAAC website, providing enthusiasts with the possibility to own a highly exclusive Shelby GT350. Enter here.
