A warm and familial atmosphere filled the air at Jalan Prof. Mohammad Yamin No. 16, Menteng, on Wednesday evening (4/3). Agro Investama Group held an inauguration ceremony for its new headquarters, combined with an Iftar (breaking of the fast) gathering alongside the Islam Nusantara Foundation (INF).
The event served as a special reunion for two long-standing friends: Petrus Tjandra, CEO of Agro Investama Group, and Prof. Dr. KH. Said Aqil Siroj, a charismatic scholar and a widely respected figure of moderate Islam. The presence of religious leaders, entrepreneurs, and colleagues in this larger, more magnificent building marks a significant new chapter in Agro Investama’s journey.
Friendship Beyond Boundaries
Laughter filled the room during the opening remarks by Kyai Said Aqil Siroj. With a lighthearted jest, he addressed Petrus Tjandra as a dear friend who is deeply aligned with the values of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
“Not forgetting my thanks to our host, Gus Petrus, of the ‘Catholic Branch’ of NU,” Kyai Said remarked, met by spirited laughter from the guests.
Petrus Tjandra himself appeared in a traditional black peci, a gesture of cultural respect. In his speech, he affectionately addressed Kyai Said as “Abah” (Father) and fluently quoted the Quranic verse on patience, Innalaha ma’ashobirin, which he had learned from the Kyai’s previous teachings. For Petrus, this relationship is far more than a business formality; it is a sincere friendship that has weathered various phases of life over the past 15 years.
From Innovation to Community Empowerment
Behind the relaxed ambiance lay a grand vision for the advancement of the national agro-industry. Agro Investama Group and the INF share a common goal: empowering the people’s economy, particularly through the vast network of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools).
Petrus emphasised that pesantren hold extraordinary potential as drivers of rural economic growth. “There is hardly a remote village without an NU pesantren. Finding a clever partner is easy, but finding one that is truly trustworthy is exceptional,” he noted.
This collaboration targets the smallholder palm oil sector. Agro Investama Group is committed to positioning pesantren as hubs for palm oil development, ensuring that the economic benefits of this strategic commodity reach beyond large corporations to small-scale farmers through initiatives such as the NU Farmers Cooperative (Koptanu).
A New Chapter in Menteng
Agro Investama Group’s move to its new Menteng office since January symbolises the company’s robust growth. Now, by sharing this space with the Islam Nusantara Foundation, Petrus hopes that the collaboration between national values, religious moderation, and industrial professionalism will flourish side-by-side.
“I hope that with the presence of the Islam Nusantara Foundation here, Menteng becomes a ‘Sharia’ Menteng,” Petrus joked, closing the evening with a profound sense of gratitude.
This inauguration proves that for Agro Investama Group, business is not merely about production figures, but about building a foundation of trust and making a tangible contribution to the economic sovereignty of the community.
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