PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk has announced the resignation of several key members of its Board of Directors and Board of Commissioners.

Among those stepping down is Garibaldi Thohir, who submitted his resignation as Commissioner to focus on his family business.

His departure, alongside other executives such as Thomas Kristian Husted, Nila Marita Indreswari, and Pablo Malay, underscores a period of leadership transformation within the company.

GoTo stated that these resignations are pending shareholder approval in the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

Garibaldi’s decision to step back from GoTo marks a return to his entrepreneurial roots, an area where he has built a legacy as one of Indonesia’s most influential business figures, particularly in the energy and finance sectors.

Quoting from WartaEkonomi and the official GoTo website, here is a look at Garibaldi Thohir's career journey.

Education and Early Ambitions in Business

Garibaldi Thohir, born in 1965, is an Indonesian national who earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California in 1988. He continued his studies at Northrop University, Los Angeles, where he received a Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1989.

Upon returning to Indonesia, Garibaldi initially aimed to work at major corporations such as Citibank or Astra International. However, his father, Teddy Thohir, one of Astra’s founders—insisted he pursue a career as an entrepreneur.

Initial Ventures and Lessons in Property

In 1991, Garibaldi began his business career in the property sector. He was assigned a project to acquire 20 hectares of land but was only able to secure 3 hectares due to economic challenges.

Eventually, he sold the company to his father. He has described this early chapter with a self-deprecating term “RCTI” or Rombongan Calo Tanah Indonesia, which means “Indonesian Land Broker Squad.”

Entering the Coal Industry and Navigating a Financial Crisis

Garibaldi entered the coal sector in 1992 through PT Allied Indo Coal in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, where he held 20% ownership.

During the 1998 Asian financial crisis, many of his partners exited the business. Garibaldi chose to continue, a decision that became a turning point in his career.

In 2005, he and his partners, Theodore Permadi Rachmat, Edwin Soeryadjaya, Sandiaga Uno, and Benny Soebianto, acquired shares of PT Adaro Energy Tbk from New Hope.

Under his leadership, Adaro became a public company in 2008.

Growth Through Financing and Expansion of Business Portfolio

In 1997, Garibaldi founded PT Wahana Ottomitra Multiartha Tbk (WOM Finance), a motorcycle financing firm.

The business began with Rp 5 billion in capital and was later sold for US$150 million.

Proceeds from the sale helped him invest further in coal mining in South Kalimantan and grow Adaro Energy.

Forbes listed Adaro among "The Asia’s Fab 50 Companies" in 2011, and Garibaldi was named “Businessman of the Year” by Forbes Indonesia in the same year.

Current Positions and Role in Indonesian Corporate Landscape

Garibaldi served as President Commissioner of GoTo before receiving shareholder approval in 2023 to transfer his duties to a new Commissioner role.

As of 2 May 2025, he has submitted his resignation as Commissioner to focus on his family business.

Since 2021, he has been a Director at PT Trinugraha Thohir. He also holds Commissioner or President Commissioner roles at companies such as PT Puncak Emas Tani Sejahtera, PT Bumi Suksesindo, PT Trinugraha Food Industry, PT Padangbara Sukses Makmur, PT Pani Bersama Tambang, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, PT Alam Tri Abadi, PT Adaro Indonesia, PT Bhakti Energi Persada, PT Adaro Power, PT Surya Esa Perkasa Tbk, and PT Wahana Artha Harsaka.

Previously, he served as President Director of PT Adaro Energy Tbk from 2004, PT Trinugraha Thohir from 1994 to 2021, PT Bumi Suksesindo from 2013 to 2017, PT Merdeka Serasi Jaya from 2012 to 2014, PT Adaro Indonesia from 2005 to 2013, and PT Padangbara Sukses Makmur from 2004 to 2011.

Forbes recorded Garibaldi’s wealth at US$3.45 billion in 2022, US$2.6 billion in 2023, and US$3.8 billion in 2024.

PHOTO: ANTARA

This article was created with AI assistance.