An active Indonesian politician and media tycoon, Surya Dharma Paloh is the founding father and owner of Media Group, the firm that operates 24-hour news channel Metro TV, online media Medcom.id, and the newspapers Media Indonesia and Lampung Post. Currently his positions include President Director of Metro TV and General Manager of Media Indonesia.

Outside his media empire, Paloh is known for being an enterprising businessman, with numerous properties under his belt in the hospitality industry including InterContinental Bali Resort, Papandayan Hotel in Bandung and Sheraton Media Hotel & Towers, Jaksrta.

In 2011, Paloh co-founded the National Democratic Party (NasDem) and serves as the General Chairman of National Democrats’ Community Organisation Board of Trustees. From 2004-2009, he was chairman of the Advisory Council of the Golkar Party.