01
Since 2010
Executive Assistant to the Chairman
Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo · Arsari Group
Enterprise · Trade · Community
A Journey Built on Resilience and Service.
From a childhood on the streets of Medan to the boardrooms of Jakarta — Dr. A.S. Kobalen serves as Executive Assistant to Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo, Chief Executive of Comexindo International, and Commissioner & Director within the Arsari Group.
38+
Years in Business & Trade
4
Group Executive & Board Mandates
9
Books Authored
3.90
M.Phil GPA · Cum Laude
About Dr. Kobalen
From the Streets to the Boardroom.
One of Indonesia's more remarkable self-made stories — a man who rose from collecting scraps on the streets of Medan to advising one of the nation's most influential business families.
Born in Medan, North Sumatra, Kobalen was the sixth of ten children of S. Arumugam, a driver, and A. Sunthrambal. Poverty marked his early years; he left home as a boy and survived the streets of Jakarta as a scrap collector, cake seller, shoe-shiner, parking hand and dishwasher. He is married to Shri Kawida Kobalen, and is the father of twin daughters, Shry Sandhya and Shry Sristhy, and a son, Kobalen Khaniska Arasen.
He studied through every hardship. Arriving in Jakarta in 1987 with only a high-school diploma, he taught in kindergartens and private classes and served as an assistant lecturer at the Indonesian Business Leadership Academy (APPI). He earned a Sarjana Ekonomi from STIE IBEK in 1994, took postgraduate management qualifications in India, and completed a Master of Philosophy — Cum Laude, GPA 3.90 — at the Institut Hindu Dharma Negeri in Denpasar in 2008, followed by a doctorate and the LEMHANAS RI national leadership programme in 2010.
Today he stands at the centre of the Arsari Group as Executive Assistant to founder Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo, Chief Executive of Comexindo International, and a Commissioner and Director across the group's interests in mining, energy, trade and agribusiness. Beyond the boardroom he is a widely respected Hindu spiritual leader and Dharma Duta, the author of nine books, and Head of Community Empowerment for the Gerindra Party. Remembering his own beginnings, he has founded charitable bodies — including the Maha Karuna Matta Foundation — dedicated to street children and waste-pickers, carrying the same conviction into public life that once lifted him out of poverty.
- Based in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Born Medan, North Sumatra
- Discipline Enterprise, Trade & Community Leadership
- Known for From poverty to the boardroom
Leadership Roles
Positions of Trust.
Concurrent executive, board and community mandates across the Arsari Group and beyond.
02
Current
Chief Executive Officer
Comexindo International
03
Current
Commissioner & Director
Arsari Group
04
Current
Commissioner
PT Arsari Tambang
05
2020–2025
Head of Community Empowerment
DPP Partai Gerindra
06
Current
General Chairman
GEMA SADHANA (Gerindra)
07
Current
Dharma Duta
Hindu Guidance, Ministry of Religion
The Journey
Four Decades in Enterprise.
1987–1991
Assistant Office Manager
PT Mitra Multi Mandiri — first foothold in corporate administration.
1987–1989
Assistant Purchase Manager
PT Pacific Trade Corindo — early exposure to trade and procurement.
1991–1994
Principal & Teacher
Washington English Institute — leading whilst completing his economics degree.
1988–2001
Operational Manager
PT Mutu Gading Tekstil — running operations in Indonesian manufacturing.
2002–2006
Administration Director
PT Natco Aviation Services — director-level oversight in aviation services.
2003–2006
President Director
PT Aero Charter International — leading a charter aviation enterprise.
2010–now
Executive Assistant to Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo
Right hand to the Arsari Group founder; CEO of Comexindo International and group Commissioner & Director.
Education
Sarjana Ekonomi (S.E.)
Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi (STIE) IBEK, Jakarta.
Post-Graduate Diploma, Business Administration
MBA-equivalent management studies, Loyola Institute, India.
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil)
Cum Laude, GPA 3.90 — Institut Hindu Dharma Negeri, Denpasar, Bali.
Doctorate (Ph.D)
Doctoral studies in philosophy and management.
LEMHANAS RI
National Resilience Institute leadership programme.
Signature Work
Work That Endures.
Current
Comexindo International
Leading the Arsari Group's international commodity-trading arm as Chief Executive.
Current
Arsari Tambang
Serving as Commissioner of the group's tin-mining company in Bangka Belitung.
2020
Gerindra Community Empowerment
National programmes for farm labourers, miners and marginalised communities.
Founder
GEMA SADHANA & Spiritual Foundations
Founded Hindu-Buddhist community bodies and the Maha Karuna Matta Foundation.
Author
Nine Published Books
Works on Hindu philosophy, meditation, Vedic leadership and Tamil heritage.
Honours & Recognition
A Life of Distinction.
- 2010 LEMHANAS RI Distinction National Resilience Institute, Republic of Indonesia National
- 2009 Cum Laude — Master of Philosophy Institut Hindu Dharma Negeri, Denpasar National
- 2008 Best Hindu Motivator Indonesian Hindu Community National
- 2007 Hindu Youth Award Indonesian Hindu Youth National
- 2005 Ministerial Recognition — Enterprise & Culture Government of Indonesia National
- — Certified International Acharya (two titles) International Hindu spiritual councils International
How I Serve
Where Experience Meets Value.
Corporate & Trade Advisory
Strategic counsel across mining, energy, agribusiness and commodity trade drawn from decades at group level.
Cross-Border Partnerships
Building Indonesia–India and international commodity and investment linkages.
Keynotes & Motivation
From-poverty-to-boardroom talks on resilience, leadership and Vedic wisdom.
Community Empowerment
Programmes and mentorship for farmers, miners, youth and marginalised communities.
Frequently Asked
Quick Facts.
Who is Dr. A.S. Kobalen?
A Jakarta-based Indonesian business executive, community leader and author, born in Medan, who rose from street poverty to the senior ranks of the Arsari Group.
What is his role at the Arsari Group?
He is Executive Assistant to founder Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo, Chief Executive of Comexindo International, and a Commissioner & Director within the group, including PT Arsari Tambang.
What is his educational background?
A Sarjana Ekonomi (STIE IBEK, 1994), postgraduate management studies in India, a Cum Laude Master of Philosophy (GPA 3.90, Denpasar, 2008), a doctorate, and the LEMHANAS RI programme (2010).
Is he involved in public life?
Yes — he serves as Head of Community Empowerment for the Gerindra Party and General Chairman of GEMA SADHANA, and has stood as a legislative candidate.
What has he written?
He is the author of nine books on Hindu philosophy, meditation, Vedic leadership and Tamil heritage, and holds two certified international Acharya titles.
What is his charitable work?
He founded charitable foundations, including the Maha Karuna Matta Foundation, serving street children and waste-pickers — the communities he grew up among.
Does he have a family?
Yes — he is married to Shri Kawida Kobalen and is the father of twin daughters, Shry Sandhya and Shry Sristhy, and a son, Kobalen Khaniska Arasen.
Where is he based?
At MidPlaza 2, Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Get in Touch