Bert’s Final Family Integration

Murni handed the phone to Bert who suddenly felt apprehensive as he didn’t know the correct protocol in these things Indonesia style.

“I’m sorry to disturb you sir. I didn’t realize it would be the middle of the night when Murni handed me the phone. Sir I have a request. I love your daughter and would like to marry her if you grant permission”.

The voice at the other end had lost its irritation now and there was a soft reply.

“I was hoping you’d ask her on this trip son and that’s the only reason I agreed to her going to Amsterdam as she’s urgently needed here with me. Please bring her back to me now and we will begin planning for a wedding. Of course, my blessing is conditional on you making your life here in Indonesia now, are you prepared to do that as she’d not be happy anywhere else.”

“Sir I must wind up operations here in Amsterdam as I’m presently the President of our family company which will now be going public because of the visit of your daughter and her friend. So, it may be a few months before I can come there, and I’ll make Indonesia my home now and look for a posting there. I don’t know if the government would allow me a permanent residency there and I’ll need to improve my language skills.”

“I need to sleep now son. I and the Suharto family will look after the government permissions so don’t worry about that. You are the replacement for my son I’ve desired and I’m very grateful to have you in the family to help me as I’m finding all this travel hard on my health now. Send Murni back quickly as I need her.”

“Yes, sir and thank you sir.”

He turned to Murni who’d listened to the conversation as she’d hit the speaker button and she had a new radiance as she received the phone back and deposited it in her purse. She spoke.

“Pay the bill Bert and let’s find a place to sit outside where you can welcome your bride to be in a more appropriate setting. I’ve waited long enough for this to happen and want to feel your protective arm around me now.”

Six months later with Caroline’s guidance finalized, the family corporation now converted to a public company said goodbye to old administration and new management was introduced to shareholders. Money had poured in as the share issue settled and the family now only controlled twenty-five percent of total shares. Under Caroline’s direction money had poured in mainly from the US with England and Europe contributing a significant amount too.

Under Murni’s recommendation the Chaniago and Suharto families took out a substantial shareholding too seeing a potential to use that vehicle to further their interests in Europe. The share price continued to rise, and Bert found himself much better off than he’d been under the old structure. New management were looking to expand their reach further into the Asian markets and voted to set up office in Singapore for that purpose. Bert was approached to set up the office and head it up. He consulted his father-in-law to be and in consultation with Murni they agreed this could be of interest to both Indonesian families but as they had Bert in mind for assisting with administration of their interests in Indonesia their preference was for this to be a temporary job. Bert agreed.

So, the marriage was delayed for a time until Bert established the branch in Singapore for the Amsterdam corporation and then having interviewed and employed initial management and staff, he took time off to visit Surabaya for the wedding he and Murni had waited so long for.

In the meantime, Abyasa with the strong support of the Suharto family worked through their government contacts to arrange a permanent resident visa for Bert. It helped that his grandmother had been a part of Indonesian high bred society. It was suggested that if qualifying he could be considered for citizenship after five years in the country as a resident. The families suggested he be given an Indonesian name and were glad to see him taking his language lessons seriously. He’d be valuable to them all dealing with their client bases in the English-speaking world.

Abyasa asked if Bert would consider taking the Indonesian name of his deceased son Panuta which means one who leads by example in his dealings within Indonesia and Bert said he’d be honored to take such a noble name. An office was quickly prepared at the corporate headquarters in Surabaya to join offices named for Abyasa and Murni and on Bert’s return from Singapore where he was winding up his involvement there Abyasa proudly led him to the office next to Murni’s office to show him the brand-new sign Panuta Chaniago. Bert thanked his father-in-law for the honor though it did seem strange to see his surname Baas removed.

When the patriarch of the Suharto family came to visit Abyasa in connection with one of the two family’s joint ventures, he was incensed seeing the sign and stormed into Abyasa’s office demanding the sign be changed.

“He is a Suharto and you have dishonored us by this sign!”

The conflict between the two was so loud administrative staff came from their offices to see what the trouble was and were astounded to see these two old friends who’d operated like brothers all these years almost in physical combat. One of them called Murni on his phone and she came running to her father’s office. She was glad her husband was not there to see this as he was travelling. She quickly addressed the elder of the Suharto family respectfully.

“Bapak please forgive me for not giving our worker clear instructions on this sign. He’s obviously made a mistake and of course his surname is Baas. Please don’t be angry with my father as he’s not to blame. You are like my own father’s brother, and I apologize for this offence. The elder Suharto calmed down immediately and sat to do business mumbling his own apologies.  Murni rushed to have the sign removed. She’d talk with her father after this man had departed. Life could be complicated unintentionally, and it was necessary to keep friendship between the families alive and well for their mutual business interests.

A year after marriage Murni realized she was expecting a child. She and Burt had decided perhaps they shouldn’t plan on a family as Murni was of that age now where there could be possible complications. Murni had second thoughts about this and wanted to take the risk so produced a healthy son and they both agreed to name him after his grandfather Abyasa. Abyasa was full of joy at the arrival and doted on his grandchild. And despite the doctors warning Murni delivered another grandchild for him in the second year. This time it was another son, and he was named Bascoro. But this time the delivery was much more difficult and Bert and Murni agreed there should be no more. The children quietly were given the surname Chaniago and this time there was no objection from the Suharto family. Bert ensured he kept a respectful association with the Suharto family in honor of his grandmother and they treated him as one of their own.

As each year progressed Bert loved his family more intensely and was glad, he’d chosen to return to his roots in Indonesia. He was delighted to be a part of the Chaniago business empire and did not miss his previous times in Amsterdam and London. His fluency in the language quickly materialized though the family teased him about his lingering accent. Abyasa was like a father to him and an excellent mentor. Murni was his love and support as he reoriented to living in Indonesia.

But the world was changing and only those with enormous cash and asset resources were now able to compete in this global village of business. Bert suggested to his father-in-law perhaps the time had come for them to become more aggressive in their international marketing and protection of their national interests to meet this competition. Perhaps the two families Chaniago and Suharto should merge their interests and capital to meet the global challenge.

Abyasa saw that as prudent and went to talk with his long-term friend the head of the Suharto clan who called his eldest son to consider the proposal. They finally saw the advantages of this after several days of discussion and legal opinion was sought to see what the advantages and disadvantages would be to each family. Finally, after a year of careful investigations in which Caroline Vanderbilt was happy to give them input the deal between both families was sealed and the assets of each became one making sure the respective shares value determined by Caroline were established to mutual satisfaction.

Murni agreed to be a vice president dealing with international interests of the new company as her contacts abroad were considered of mutual benefit to the combined family interests. Abyasa deferred to his Suharto long term friend as the president of the holding company feeling the need to retire when the amalgamation had been successfully completed. He was assured that on the retirement of his friend from that position Bert would be considered to take over and all were happy with that arrangement. After all they considered Bert to be a part of the Suharto clan through his grandmother. The Suharto boys and Bert initially would work as vice presidents to oversee all interests in Indonesia managed by experienced general managers.

Eventually on the retirement of the senior Suharto Bert or Panuta as he was now known was elected to the presidency. Abyasa died soon after the appointment of his adopted son surrounded by family and the last rites performed according to custom. Panuta comforted his wife and children as they grieved the loss of this outstanding man.

Panuta dried his wife’s tears and whispered in her ear.

“Murni my happiest memory is of meeting you and your father in Jakarta airport long ago. I was immediately attracted to you and couldn’t get you out of my mind when returning to London. I felt life without you would be worthless and am so happy your father accepted this foreigner into the family. Every day since that has been a happy one for me and I’m so grateful you decided to have our two wonderful children despite the risks that created for your health. Thank you so much for being my inspiration through these years. On this sad occasion of your respected father’s passing, I promise you I’ll make his mentorship of my administrative progress into something the whole family can be proud of in his memory.:

Murni put her arms around her husband and sighed. The best decision in her life had been to say yes to this amazing man who’d made her life so happy. He’d do her father proud as he carried forward his legacy.

Conclusion.

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