Robby Djohan, Former CEO of SOEs and Bankers

Robby Djohan, Former CEO of SOEs and Bankers

Robby Djohan today died at Castle Hospital Cinere. During his life, the man born in Semarang, August 1, 1938 is known as a professional in the banking sector internationally and nationally.

Robby Djohan

Robby, called, had been a Director of PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk (GIAA). He served as Managing Director of only 6 months ie from June to November 1998.

When you receive an assignment as Director of Garuda, Robby faced with this difficult condition of the company. Garuda time it has a very bad reputation. In addition to frequently delayed flights, Garuda aircraft was also filled by older fleets. At that time, he received the assignment of the SOE Minister at the time, Mr. Abeng.

"We have a bad image, old aircraft, the arrival often late," Robby said when interviewed detikFinance and some media in the Sovereign Building Plaza, South Jakarta, Thursday (08/14/2014).

Moreover, these routes Garuda many losers. The company also has a debt of up to US $ 1.2 billion and cash flow of minus US $ 158 million. So he had to work hard to lift Garuda from adversity.

Robby did a variety of ways to change the face of the corporation, one of which is to strengthen the position of district manager. The district managers are required to boost sales.

In addition, he closes domestic routes and international losers and improve flight punctuality. However, Robby step does not stop there, he also optimizing the aircraft Garuda to fly back.

"I changed the image, close the service, and the personal pronoun," he explained.

Robby was known when leading Garuda with cold hands. He did not hesitate to dismiss employees who are not productive. Men who have a background of bankers such as Citibank and Bank Niaga, voted in the era of the first SOE Minister Tanri Abeng.

Even Robby confessed his salary dropped drastically as the Managing Director of Garuda. Robby salary as a banker at Bank Niaga reached US $ 1.8 million per month whereas he only received a salary of Rp 16 million per month when he became Managing Director of Garuda. At that time the dollar exchange rate amounts to Rp 8,000.

"My salary is US $ 1.8 million at the time of Commerce. Time in Garuda only $ 16 million. I never took a salary," he explained

After a 6 month stint in Garuda, Robby has obtained a new task. Although only charge for 6 months, the real achievement is already visible in Garuda.

"The debt of US $ 1.2 billion in time. I came out at US $ 900 million," he explained.

Robby out Garuda as requested by Tanri to become Director of Bank Mandiri. Robby Bank Mandiri led the restructuring program during the crisis. He hired experts to join the banking, one of which is Agus Martowardojo.

"I recruited the best people. One of them Agus Marto," he said.

Robby in Mata Former Minister of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng

The first SOE Minister, Mr. Abeng claimed to have removed the board of directors of Garuda in 1998, then he recruits new people from professionals. At that time the thought was Robby Djohan, a colleague background banker he had known for a long time.

However, it did not go too smoothly. Background Robby is a banker questionable to lead an airline.

"I select a banker, so he could communicate with his fellow bankers who want to bankrupt Garuda. Then I found Robby," said Tanri.

Besides that reason, Tanri told me that personally, he knew Robby as being loud and opinionated. What mattered was Robby is a person who can be trusted so, he can focus on other jobs while Garuda back.

"Robby was a tough (tough), its hard and we need the hardware. In addition, he can be trusted. Because if I had entrusted someone hold something, for what else we oversee. 100% I trust. But there is a track record that I can trust, "said Tanri.

After replacing the helm of the Garuda, the next step is to form a team of directors to assist the task Robby run more smoothly. Direkrutlah Satar as Director of Finance.

At the same time, also conducted large-scale reforms to reduce the number of employees who are considered too 'fat' at the time. At that time the number of employees of Garuda reached 13,000 people, but ideally needs only 6,000 people.

"I replace the directors of all. Under the new directors, like Satar brought from Hong Kong. Then, finally on-pension-kan 6,000 employees and it duitnya much. But, it was a quick return for their efficiency and so forth," he stated.

Robby trip with Garuda did not run long. Robby back Tanri needed to fill the position as Managing Director and led the merger of Bank Mandiri.

Birth of Bank Mandiri and Leadership Robby

Six months ago since the first time Mr. Abeng along Robby worked hard healthful Garuda. Garuda's wings began to recover and seemed to be back flying with sound.

The next tough task had been ready to confront Tanri. That task is a healthy four state-owned bank which consists of Bank Bumi Daya (BBD), Bank Dagang Negara (BDN), Indonesia Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) and Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) by merging scheme or merged into Bank Mandiri.

"When the merger was (four banks) are all bankrupt in fact, because the Non Performing Loan (NPL / Loans Loss) was already above 60%," said Tanri.

The choice of taking a step merger is not a thing that came to me. Because, before the merger idea was brought, President Suharto had first discourse to maintain one of the banks while other banks merged into one bank that maintained it.

Soeharto idea does not necessarily run Tanri. He then suggested another alternative if you want the result of the merger of four banks may be a big healthy bank.

Finally it was decided was to establish a new bank. Long story short, this merger effort continues with the appointment of a new figure to fill the position as Managing Director at Bank Chess. When it was appointed an Officer at PT TASPEN to lead the merged bank.

But the move did not go well. The designated person turned out to declare themselves incapable and resigned from the position of the president.

"He's very honest person, his name Pak Mul. He came to me. He said, Mr. Minister I can not," recalls Tanri.

Tanri was again reminded of the colleague who was still serving as president director of Garuda. Robby was Johan who was re-appointed to carry out his new mission.

"At that time Garuda began to stabilize ahead of 6 months. I need Robby to lead the merger of Bank Mandiri. Pak Mul who I appoint resigned, I was looking again, returning failure by Robby," said Tanri.

Chosen Robby back is certainly not without reason. Moreover, if not background banker.

Tanri story, Robby persuaded to leave his post as Director of Garuda was not an easy matter.

"He (Robbi Johan) said she was still at home in Garuda. Finally I persuaded him. I said, I appoint you to be Commissioner of Garuda. Be him as Managing Director of Bank Mandiri and Garuda commute," he said.

Managed to persuade Robby, Tanri began struggling with this second task.

"We're scrambling longer there. Because the IMF is demanding should be. The IMF says we are given 24 months to do a merger of this bank," he said.

Unexpectedly, Robby came to him and said, "Eh, I do not want to wait 24 months. I did eight months," said Tanri imitating Robby.

Tanri was shocked and asked if it were possible.

"He replied 'Can'. And indeed he did eight months have been merged. So before I fell in September, the month of August had me sign a letter of merger of Bank Mandiri," he said.

Although running smoothly, Ide President Suharto gave the name of the merged bank under the name of Bank Chess is not used. The largest bank in Indonesia is now hoisted the flag of the newly named Bank Mandiri.