Detikcom is Acquired for US$60 Million?

A tweet from Doni Ismanto mentions the buying transaction of Detikcom by Para Group, owned by billionaire Chairul Tanjung has reached their final stage. Doni Ismanto, a journalist for Jakarta Daily newspaper, got informed by internal source that the acquisition reaches US$60 million in value for total ownership of the largest news media portal in Indonesia. Similar number had been mentioned by someone closes to Budiono Darsono, Editor in-Chief of Detikcom, around IDR 521-540 billion.

The board of directors will be filled by people from TransCorp — Para Group's media arm, while the Chairman position will be assigned to Gen. (Ret) Bimantoro — former Head of National Police, currently also serves as Chairman of Carrefour Indonesia, another company owned by Tanjung. Tanjung is currently listed as 11th most richest person in Indonesia, according to 2011's Forbes list.

There's big chance that some executives will prefer to exit from the company. Budiono Darsono himself has stated that he will stay at the company dependence on new management's willing. Previously, it was reported that Detikcom's current executive officials will be staying at the company during transition period.

How's the future of Detikcom under new management? With the possibility of non-digital-experience person in management, we think the transition period will be rocky like the one experienced by Plasa.com, subordinate company of state-owned Telkom, to be an E-Commerce company. We shall wait for the vision of Para Group to revitalize Detikcom and to keep their hegemony as the leader in online media segment in Indonesia.