Exclusive Interview with
SSRI Vice President Director & CU GM Mr Surya Rahman
“Those who try will find the way.”
Mr Surya Rahman
Vice President Director & CU GM
PT. Sumitomo Indonesia
You were the first local to be appointed Office Corporate Unit GM in SCAO group. Please share with us your journey of this major milestone, from managing just the legal function to all corporate functions in SSRI.
The key is I have never rejected any assignment and I tried to accomplish the assignment as best as I could by getting help from others. When the first time SSRI established Treasury Department led by GM of Risk Management & Legal Department, I was assigned to support Treasury Department too. My main job was simple, to take cash from the bank. But there was trust behind such assignment.
In some circumstances, positions were vacant due to coincidences, which then I had to be assigned to take over those vacant positions. After going through all the learning processes and challenges, I could handle the assignment smoothly, again with the help from others. Not everything was a success story, but I learnt from many experiences and from anybody, leaders, peers, subordinates and even from my teenage daughter.
Singing in SSRI Bonenkai event
When I was assigned as CU GM for the first time in 2015 to replace a Japanese CU GM, it was not easy. I was aware of people’s doubt and hesitation, even myself. Despite having been familiar with taking new challenges and assignment, taking such big authority and liability were not easy at all. The worst was at the very initial days of my assignment, the government issued a very difficult decision to revoke VAT registration number of several trading companies, including SSRI. This resulted in the company unable to issue invoice or make new transaction, besides many other difficulties.
There were also negative comments such as after the leaving of a Japanese CU GM, so many issues and troubles arose in the company. But thanks to the cooperation and good coordination with every relevant person, we could solve the issues one by one. The key is to be patient and maintain a positive attitude to communicate with every relevant person.
I also garnered lots of support from several colleagues in SCAO Singapore in communicating with other CU GMs in the region. Communication with CU Department GMs in SCAO Singapore was relatively smooth because I have been working together with most of them even before my assignment as SSRI CU GM. However, the most important key of smooth transition was the support from CU Department GMs and all CU members in SSRI. I could not be who I am today without their support.
What are your most urgent tasks under SHIFT2023? What would you like to transform and how would you motivate others to achieve these aspirations?
First of all, we introduce and ensure all staff understand what SHIFT2023 is, which we do in regular meetings. Then we have to change the mindset of everybody that despite being a part of a big MNC – Sumitomo Corporation, we cannot be complacent. In addition, it is not just because of COVID-19 that we need to do more and differently in order to survive and uphold our existence in Indonesia. In order to survive, we have to change, SHIFT and start by changing ourselves.
We also show to our staff that the 6 new generation growth fields of Sumitomo Corporation under SHIFT 2023 and 4 Key Strategies of SCAO Group are very much suitable and relevant to Indonesia due to the current business profiles, government policies, social circumstances, potential economic growth and population of Indonesia. Indonesia is the biggest part of SCAO Group.
I myself became member of some special projects of new business development coordinated under Co-SABDO to show that everybody could take part in new business development.
Cycling at mountain area with Sumitomo colleagues and friends
Enjoying bonding time with my daughter
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SNAPSHOT
I strongly believe in… our reaction to an issue will determine the most part of the result, be it positive or negative. If we react positively, we could control the end result. If we react negatively, the result will be uncontrollable, and in most of the cases, destructive
I spend most of my time.. working, of course. Other than that, I spend my time reading, exercising and spending time with family
The food I crave most often is… Padang food, a traditional food from West Sumatra. There are many varieties in types and tastes
One personal rule that I never break is… to be honest in every situation
The thing that cheers me up whenever I think about is… my mother who always supports and prays for me, which I need every day
One thing I really want but can’t afford yet is… watching Liverpool match live at Anfield
If I could go back in time, I would… attend more social events like friends’ wedding ceremonies, funerals or family gatherings. Just recently I realised that I spent so little time with them while recognising how important my participation is to make others happy
If I have enough money to live comfortably without having to work, I would… go back to my hometown, take care of my parents, help those in need and visit all the places that I did not see during my childhood
