Heyzer Harsono, President Commissioner of Samator Group and Prominent Industrial Gas Leader, Passes Away at 66

The Indonesian business community and the industrial sector are in mourning following the passing of Heyzer Harsono, the President Commissioner of Samator Group, who died on Friday, October 30. His passing marks the departure of a foundational figure who spent decades shaping the landscape of industrial and medical gas manufacturing in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, while also making significant contributions to national sports development.

The official confirmation of his passing was widely disseminated through institutional and business networks, notably highlighted by the East Java chapter of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (BPD HIPMI). In an official digital statement released on Friday, the organization expressed its profound grief. "The extended family of BPD HIPMI East Java conveys its deepest condolences," the statement read, reflecting the high regard in which Harsono was held across various generations of Indonesian business leaders.

A Lifetime of Corporate Leadership and Strategic Vision

Born in 1958, Heyzer Harsono’s professional trajectory was deeply intertwined with the growth and expansion of Samator Group, one of Indonesia’s premier industrial and medical gas producers. Over a career spanning several decades, Harsono transitioned from operational leadership to high-level corporate governance, steering the company through critical periods of industrial expansion, economic volatility, and the unprecedented healthcare demands brought on by the global pandemic.

According to corporate disclosures from Samator Gas (samatorgas.com), Harsono formally assumed the role of President Commissioner of the company in 2021, a position of oversight to which he was reappointed in 2025 following a successful tenure. His leadership style was defined by a commitment to strategic foresight, rigorous corporate governance, and sustainable business practices.

Harsono’s foundational education began at Petra 2 Senior High School in Surabaya, East Java. Recognizing the necessity of continuous professional development in an increasingly competitive global economy, he later pursued advanced executive training. In 2015, he completed the prestigious "Strategic Action Program" Executive Development Program at the Center for Economic and Business Development (P2EB) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), equipping him with advanced frameworks for corporate restructuring and long-term industrial planning.

Chronology of Executive Roles and Industry Influence

Harsono’s ascension to the pinnacle of Samator Group was the result of a systematic and multifaceted career progression within the industrial gas ecosystem. His leadership roles over the years illustrate a deep, hands-on understanding of both domestic market dynamics and international industrial standards:

• 2006 – 2018: Served as the President Director of the company. During this twelve-year tenure, Harsono oversaw a period of aggressive infrastructural expansion, positioning Samator as a dominant domestic supplier capable of meeting the heavy demands of Indonesia’s manufacturing, construction, and metallurgical sectors.
• 2013 – 2021: Concurrently held the critical position of President Director at PT Krakatau Samator, a strategic joint venture formed to ensure a stable supply of industrial gases to the domestic steel manufacturing giant PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk, as well as the broader industrial market in Cilegon and surrounding areas.
• 2018 – 2021: Transitioned to the role of Vice President Commissioner, helping guide the corporate governance framework during a transitional phase leading up to the company’s public listing initiatives.
• 2021 – 2025: Appointed as President Commissioner, a role he maintained until his passing, providing high-level counsel, risk management oversight, and strategic alignment for executive management.

Beyond his executive duties within Samator, Harsono was a recognized authority in his field. He frequently represented Indonesian industrial interests at domestic and international forums, actively participating in conferences centered on industrial gas manufacturing, medical oxygen supply chains, and advanced corporate management frameworks.

Contributions to National Sports and Industry Associations

In addition to his corporate achievements, Heyzer Harsono maintained a robust profile in public service, industry advocacy, and sports administration. His leadership extended far beyond the boardroom, touching the lives of athletes and industry peers alike.

Within the industrial sector, Harsono served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Industrial Gas Association (Asosiasi Gas Industri Indonesia – AGII). In this capacity, he played an instrumental role in shaping regulatory compliance standards, advocating for energy security, and promoting safety protocols within a sector that handles volatile and high-pressure materials. His technical expertise ensured that Indonesian industrial gas practices aligned with evolving international safety and environmental benchmarks.

Simultaneously, Harsono made a profound impact on Indonesian athletics. He served as a high-ranking official within the Indonesian Volleyball Association (Persatuan Bola Voli Seluruh Indonesia – PBVSI), where he dedicated significant time and resources to grassroots development, national training camps, and the organization of domestic tournaments such as the Proliga. His administrative acumen extended to the international stage, where he represented Indonesian interests as an active member of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC). Colleagues in the sports community noted that Harsono brought the same analytical rigor, financial discipline, and motivational leadership to volleyball administration that he applied to his corporate ventures.

Broader Implications for Samator Group and the Industrial Gas Sector

The passing of Heyzer Harsono comes at a critical juncture for the Indonesian industrial landscape. Industrial and medical gases—ranging from oxygen and nitrogen to argon and carbon dioxide—are foundational inputs for a vast array of economic activities, including steel production, healthcare delivery, electronics manufacturing, and food processing.

Samator Group, under the guidance of leaders like Harsono, played a monumental role during times of national crisis, most notably at the peak of the COVID-19 delta wave in Indonesia in 2021. During that period, the sudden surge in demand for medical oxygen threatened to overwhelm hospital infrastructure. Harsono and the executive leadership at Samator orchestrated round-the-clock production shifts, coordinated emergency logistics with government agencies, and redirected industrial oxygen supplies to medical facilities, saving countless lives.

The loss of a seasoned executive of Harsono’s caliber naturally prompts questions regarding institutional continuity. However, analysts point out that Samator Group has long cultivated a robust governance structure and a deep bench of professional managers designed to withstand leadership transitions. As President Commissioner, Harsono’s primary mandate in recent years was to ensure long-term strategic stability, risk mitigation, and adherence to corporate values—foundations that remain firmly in place as the company moves forward.

Tributes and Institutional Responses

Following the announcement of his death, condolences poured in from business associations, sports federations, and corporate partners across the archipelago. Chambers of commerce, manufacturing syndicates, and athletic bodies highlighted his integrity, humility, and unwavering dedication to national development.

In statements released by peers in the industrial gas sector, Harsono was remembered not only as a shrewd strategist but also as a mentor who prioritized human capital development. Employees across Samator’s various subsidiaries recalled his approachable demeanor, his emphasis on workplace safety, and his commitment to fostering local engineering talent.

As funeral arrangements are finalized and family members, colleagues, and friends gather to pay their final respects, the legacy of Heyzer Harsono remains indelibly etched into the modern economic history of Indonesia. Through his decades of corporate stewardship, his stabilization of critical medical supply chains, and his passionate support for national sports, Harsono leaves behind a comprehensive blueprint for modern, socially responsible industrial leadership.