Liem Sioe Liong's Salim Group: The Business Pillar of Suharto's Indonesia

The cukong is a potent and often troubling figure in the recent history of Indonesia. Based on the Hokkien word for "boss," the term refers to a businessman, of Chinese origin and astronomical wealth, who enjoys a symbiotic relationship with some powerful military or government personage. The one provides the finances to fund official projects, to bail out crumbling state enterprises, or simply in the form of lavish "gifts:" the other provides patronage and protection.