Abdul Latief

Abdul Latief is the founder Indonesian retailers Pasaraya department store and of television channel Lativi. He is the former Indonesian minister of labor in the Soeharto era.

Abdul Latief was born on April 27, 1940, in Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. He was bought up according to Muslim and Minangkabau traditions. Latief's father was a textile trader and his mother was an activist in Aisyiyah (a part of the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization). In 1950, Latief's family moved from Banda Aceh to Jakarta.

While at school, he performed well enough academically to become the best student. After graduating, Latief worked as head of promotion in the Sarinah department store. He also attended in-store management courses in Tokyo, Japan. In 1972, Latief founded the Young Indonesian Entrepreneur Community, known as HIPMI, and he was elected as leader for 1972–73.

After working for about nine years in department stores, in 1972 Latief decided he wanted to own a department store, but had to settle for a variety store. Starting from a mini store in Grogol, Jakarta, Latief and his brother, Abdul Muthalib, founded PT Latief Marda Corporation. Two years later, they founded PT Indonesia Product Centre Sarinah Jaya, with brand name Pasaraya. In 2001, Latief expanded his business into television, by establishing the Lativi television channel. Latief is also involves in the property business with the La Piaza development in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. Today, all of his business in retailing, media, property, advertising, finance and agrobusiness are grouped in the Latief Corporation.

As well as being a prominent businessman, Latief is former Indonesian minister of labor. In 1993, Latief was chosen as a minister in Soeharto's cabinet. During his term of office, the government approved the regional minimum salary for labor, known as 'Upah Minimum Regional'.He was the Tourism, Art and Culture Minister.