Soraya Punasharry

Proud daughter

WHEN I WAS growing up, I would accompany my father to some of his business meetings. I would meet his clients and soak up everything that was going on,” recalls 28-year-old Soraya Punasharry. “He taught me everything about the property business.”

Soraya’s late father, Muhyddin Z. A Punasharry, was a subcontractor to the Pondok Indah Group and Metropolitan Land. Pondok Indah Mall and Metropolitan Mall in Bekasi were among his projects. Inspired to follow in his footsteps, Soraya established her own property marketing agency, Raya Propertindo, in 2014. She is currently working with Metland on One Parc Puri, a 9.7-hectare development of offices and apartments in Tangerang. Her company is also working with Farpoint Realty Indonesia on Verde, a prestigious apartment complex, and with Jakarta Setiabudi Internasional on Setiabudi Skygarden, a residential complex with two luxury condo towers.

Soraya, who holds a business degree from Germany’s University of Erfurt, credits her ambitious nature for getting her where she is now. “I don’t like to be constrained by rules,” she smiles. “One of the perks of having your own company is that you can be as creative as possible, with nothing limiting you. But there would be no success without the willingness to learn and struggle. I’m responsible for finding and building relationships with investors and business partners. Through this experience, I have learned how to control my emotions and how to adapt to different individuals.

“My dream is to build a luxury resort in Banyuwangi, East Java, where Mount Ijen is one of the most stunning tourist spots in Indonesia thanks its blue volcanic flame. There’s a shortage of quality resorts there, so it’s a beautiful place whose tourism value could be greatly improved.”