Artha Graha Boss Says Indonesia Still Attractive to Global Investors

He urged business people to read the market with caution, not blind optimism. In his view, traders and investors look for openings as conditions change, then judge whether they have the strength to act on them.

“We traders look for chances, look at possibilities, and look at something that I think will emerge better,” he said.

That view reflects the reality many developing economies face now. Global capital is moving more carefully, and any shift in US rates, commodity prices or regional tensions can affect Indonesia’s financing costs, investor appetite and currency movements. Yet Indonesia still offers something large foreign investors want: scale.

The country has a broad consumer market, continuing infrastructure needs, natural resources and a services sector that still has room to expand. For many global investors, that mix matters more than short-term headlines.

Rules, Stability and Confidence

Tomy stressed that opportunity alone is not enough. Investors, he said, need to operate within government and state regulations. That point is simple, but it goes straight to the heart of deal-making in Indonesia. Projects move faster when rules are clear and compliance is taken seriously.

He also tied investor trust to social and political stability. National unity, in his view, is not just a patriotic slogan. It affects confidence, planning and the ability to complete projects without unnecessary friction.

“Indonesia is needed by the world. What matters is that we, Indonesians, stay united. Don’t be influenced by troublemakers. We must believe in ourselves as Indonesians,” he said.

For readers, the practical impact is easy to see. Stable conditions help keep project timelines on track. They also reduce the extra costs that come with uncertainty, from supply-chain delays to higher security and financing risks. When the business climate is predictable, companies can plan longer and waste less money on hedging against surprises.

Tomy also warned against pushing capital too far. He said investors should avoid overextending themselves, especially when the global environment can change quickly.

“The important thing is not to overinvest. Invest according to our own strength, in a reasonable way and in line with government and state rules,” he said.

That caution lands at a moment when many companies are trying to balance ambition with cash discipline. Rates remain uncertain in several major economies, and cross-border investors tend to punish projects that depend too much on cheap money or optimistic growth assumptions.

Bali’s Growth Still Has Room

Tomy singled out Bali as a region with strong room for growth. He said the island’s tourism economy does not stop at hotels and travel agencies. It reaches food businesses, transport operators, the creative economy, arts and culture, and the management of historical and religious sites.

“If tourism moves, accommodation, travel, the creative economy, cuisine, and arts and culture also move,” he said.

That spillover is the reason Bali remains attractive to investors. One hotel project can support local farmers, laundry services, drivers, suppliers and artisans. A busier airport can mean more restaurant demand, more retail traffic and more spending in surrounding neighborhoods. The gains spread far wider than the beachfront.

Tomy said Bali’s cultural strength is part of its investment appeal. But he also said development has to respect local acceptance and preserve Balinese identity. That balance matters. Investors may like strong returns, but communities want to keep control over what changes on their land.

“As long as the people of Bali accept it and Balinese culture is preserved, many development and investment opportunities on the island remain wide open,” he said.

He did not ignore the costs of growth. Tomy pointed to environmental pressure in tourism areas such as Kuta, including beach erosion and the strain that comes with expansion. He called for problem-solving, not just complaints.

“Don’t just vent about the problem. Yes, if there is profit, set aside a few percent for CSR and care for the environment,” he said.

That point carries weight for investors across Indonesia. Environmental damage can trigger public pushback, repairs, delays and reputational costs. Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, has shifted from side activity to business protection. For tourism, that change is especially sharp because the product itself depends on clean beaches, working ecosystems and local goodwill.

Tomy’s remarks leave investors with a clear signal: Indonesia still offers room for capital, but the winners will be the ones who respect the rules, manage risk carefully and avoid betting more than they can carry. Bali, in particular, still has many layers of growth left — and one of the biggest tests is whether that growth can stay profitable without wearing down the island’s culture and environment.