- LL.B., Trisakti University, Indonesia (1993)
- LL.M., Monash University, Australia (1995)
- Licensed to practice law as an advocate by the Indonesian Bar Association (PERADI)
- Head of the Standard Committee (Dewan Standar) of the Indonesian Capital Market Legal Consultants Association (HKHPM)
- Ranked in Band 1 for Capital Markets and Corporate/M&A by Chambers & Partners Global Guide (2015 – 2023)
- Ranked as Highly Regarded for Banking, Capital Markets, Energy and Infrastructure, and M&A by IFLR1000 (2013 – 2023)
- Ranked as Elite Practitioner for Capital Markets and Corporate and M&A by AsiaLaw Profiles (2020 – 2023)
- Ranked as Leading Individual for Capital Markets by The Legal 500 (2009 – 2023)
- Listed as one of Indonesia Top 100 Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal Indonesia Top 100 Lawyers (2018 – 2022)
- Cultural Inclusivity Lawyer of the Year by Chambers Diversity and Inclusion Asia Pacific Awards (2020)
- Managing Partner of the Year by Asian Legal Business Indonesia Law Awards (2018)
- Independent Commissioner of PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk (2021 – present)
- Head of the Audit Committee for PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk (2021 – present)
- Head of the Standard Committee (Dewan Standar) of the Indonesian Capital Market Legal Consultants Association (HKHPM) (2018 – 2021)
- Member of the Disciplinary Committee (Komite Disiplin) of the Indonesian Stock Exchange (2020 – 2022), (2018 – 2020)
- Member of the Indonesian Audit Committee Association (2022 – 2025)
Bono has been practicing law in Indonesia since 1997, focusing on capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and foreign direct investment transactions, where he has developed a reputation for being at the cutting edge of Indonesian commercial law.
In the banking and finance arena, Bono earned his spurs the hard way during the 1997/1998 Asian financial crisis. Among the significant mandates he worked on at that time were advising Bank Danamon and the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) on the merging of nine major domestic banks that were in danger of collapsing.
In his capital markets practice, Bono represents issuers accessing debt and equity and capital markets for IPOs, refinancing and acquisition finance. He advises clients on onshore and offshore offerings, with an expertise in Rule 144A/Reg S. He regularly advises clients in the energy, telecommunications, financial and digital services sectors. Bono has been intimately involved in a long list of high-profile public offerings, including those of PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk, PT Berau Coal Energy Tbk, PT Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk, PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk and PT Elnusa Tbk. Among the significant mandates that Bono worked on in 2019-2020 included Inalum’s USD 2.5 billion Notes under Regulation S/Rule 144A of the US Securities Act 1933 – the largest issuance from an Indonesian company since the start of the coronavirus pandemic; Medco’s IDR 1.5 trillion Shelf Registered Bond III Tranche III 2020; and Medco’s USD 650 million global bonds and PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance’s USD 500 million Euro Medium Term Notes (being PT Indonesia Infrastructure Finance debut in the international bonds market).
Meanwhile, in the mergers and acquisitions arena, Bono has represented prominent multinational corporations, as well as large Indonesian corporates, including Coca Cola Beverages Asia Holdings Sarl, and the leading Indonesian telecommunications provider XL Axiata, in its purchase of 100% of the share capital of AXIS from Teleglobal Investments B.V. Most recently, Bono advised Gojek in its various investment activities in various section and represented General Atlantic and GGV Capital in the Series C funding of Ruangguru.
Experience Highlight
- Advised PT Bank Tabungan Pensiuan Nasional (“BTPN”) in its complex merger with PT Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Indonesia in which BTPN being the surviving bank. This was the first merger involving banking institutions to be conducted under the most recent merger regulation issued by Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK).
- Represented PT Royal Industries Indonesia (“RII”) in relation to suspension of payment proceedings before the Central Jakarta District Court - Commercial Court. The matter also involved assisting RII in the negotiation with creditors as well as drafting and finalizing the settlement agreement.
- Assisted PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (“Inalum”) to issue (i) USD 1 billion three-year notes at 5.230% due 2021, (ii) USD 1.25 billion five-year notes at 5.710% due 2023, (iii) USD 1 billion 10-year notes at 6.530% due 2028, and (iv) USD 750 million 30-year notes at 6.757% due 2048. Proceeds from the bonds were used to fund the acquisition of a majority stake in PT Freeport Indonesia, concessionaire of the largest gold mine and the second largest copper mine in the world, by the Republic of Indonesia through Inalum. This deal awarded Debt Market Deal of the Year from ALB Indonesia Law Awards 2019.
- Assisted the Republic of Indonesia and the Issuer in the issuance of world’s first Green Sukuk bond – US$ 1.25 billion 5-year and US$ 1.75 billion 10-year Reg S / 144A Trust Certificates due in 2023 and 2028, respectively. These securities are part of the Sukuk Wakalah issuance programme. This deal awarded Indonesia Deal of the Year and Sovereign (global) Deal of the Year: First ever sovereign green sukuk from IFN Awards 2019, and Debt Market Deal of the Year from ALB Indonesia Law Awards 2018.
- Acted as the Indonesian legal counsel for the Republic of Indonesia in the successful issuance of Government Samurai Bonds, which comprised of four series. It is the first time that the bonds were issued using the Japanese Shelf Registration scheme.
