Background on Pak Marthen
Pak Marthen, who is also recognised as Urif Amtiran was born in 1942 in Baun village, Kabupaten
Kupang, NTT Province, Indonesia. Pak Marthen is the head of a family that has ruled, lived and worked
in Kupang since the 17th century and is regarded as a pillar of the community. His family were the first
Kings of Timor from Amarasi and ruled over 40 minor kingdoms.
Pak Marthen completed his University at the University National Jakarta, Indonesia between 1962 –
1965. His business career began with State Coal Mining Indonesia (named Tambang Batubara Negara
Indonesia) as the Head of Protocol between 1963 and 1966. He subsequently worked with BAPINDO
(Bank Pembangunan Indonesia - Indonesian Development Bank) between 1966 and 1971.
In 1971, Pak Marthen founded and developed PT Semen Kupang, a cement factory in Kupang including
securing finance from overseas investors where he worked until 1991. Between 1992 and 2000, he was
the sole agent of Astra International Group for NTT area and East Timor. Pak Marthen retired in 2000
and currently lives in Kupang.
Financial capacity
In Kupang, Pak Marthen is known as a wealthy individual who had worked with Indonesia's largest
companies and was closely associated with Astra International Group. In the business community in
Kupang, it is recognised that he is philanthropic in his approach to the community in Kupang and they
estimate his wealth to be in excess of USD$150 million.