21 - Twilight

Summary

In the years after the downfall of his patron, Liem spent most of his time in Singapore, leading a mostly sequestered life far removed from his days as one of the most recognized faces in the Indonesian corporate world. Unlike in Jakarta where he was constantly hounded, he was able to move around in the island republic scarcely disturbed. Unaccustomed to being at home much of the time, he kept up the habit of going to the office, only this time it was to the office of Permanent Pte Ltd usually every afternoon, except Sundays, when he would go to the KMP office at the Fook Hai Building in Chinatown, which was Anthony's base. No real business had been conducted at Permanent for years, but Liem felt that in keeping with its name, the office should remain open. Sometimes, visitors from China dropped by to see him. It was Anthony's habit to be in Singapore on weekends when he was not travelling elsewhere on business. He would brief his father about the latest business developments. Liem continued to make occasional trips to China as long as his health permitted. He particularly enjoyed going to his hometown, Fuqing, which welcomed him with open arms. Before his health declined to the point he could no longer travel, Liem also made the occasional short trips to Jakarta, and whenever possible he would stop by at Jalan Cendana to visit his old friend Suharto.

A “HOMECOMING” IN CHINA

Liem regarded Indonesia as his home, but there always was a special place in his heart for his native town in China. When he was able to return to his village of Niuzhai, he would pay respects to his ancestors at their simple graveyard. He was much loved as a philanthropist in Fuqing, credited with leading the charge in transforming the provincial backwater into a modern city. Here, he was simply called “laoban” — the Boss — and the one who was instrumental in providing seed money that enabled Fuqing to have roads, bridges, shopping malls, hospitals, schools, industrial areas and even a port. In his ancestral home, Liem was accorded demigod status. It was evident during one visit he made during Chinese New Year in February 2006.