Meet Thomas Lembong’s Parents: T Yohanes Lembong and Yetty Lembong

Thomas Trikasih Lembong, widely known as Tom Lembong, is a prominent Indonesian politician, economist, and former Minister of Trade.

Celebrated for his contributions to Indonesia’s economic policies and international trade relations, Tom has built a reputation as a forward-thinking leader in both the public and private sectors.

Born on March 4, 1971, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tom Lembong is of Chinese-Indonesian descent, with roots tracing to Manado, North Sulawesi, through his father, T Yohanes Lembong, and Tuban, East Java, through his mother, Yetty Lembong. Raised in a Catholic household, faith played an important role in shaping his values and character.

Tom spent part of his early childhood in Germany, where his father—a respected cardiologist and ENT specialist—pursued advanced medical studies during the 1970s. The family returned to Jakarta when Tom was about 10 years old, where he continued his education at Sekolah Regina Pacis, excelling academically and developing an early interest in global affairs.

Pursuing higher education abroad, Tom attended Harvard University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies. His Harvard education equipped him with international perspectives that later shaped his career in economic strategy and policymaking.

Tom comes from a family with strong professional and entrepreneurial influences. Notably, his uncle, Eddie Lembong, is a renowned pharmaceutical entrepreneur and a respected figure in Indonesian business circles.

T Yohanes Lembong

T Yohanes Lembong, also known as Ong Joe Gie, was a highly accomplished medical professional from Manado, North Sulawesi.

A graduate of the prestigious Universitas Indonesia, Yohanes specialized as a cardiologist and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor. His academic journey didn’t stop at his medical degree; he is also reported to have earned a doctorate in radiology, a rare and notable achievement during his era, when many of his contemporaries only completed elementary education.

Yohanes’ dedication to medicine provided a stable and privileged upbringing for his family, including his son, Tom. His success as a doctor in a time when higher education was less accessible in Indonesia highlights his determination and intellectual prowess.

Furthermore, Yohanes’ pursuit of advanced studies in Germany during the 1970s allowed young Tom to spend his early childhood there, exposing him to a global perspective from an early age. This international exposure, coupled with his father’s emphasis on education, played a significant role in shaping Tom’s academic and professional path.

Beyond his immediate family, Yohanes’ legacy extends through his brother, Eddie Lembong, Tom’s uncle, who founded PT Pharos Indonesia, one of the country’s oldest and largest pharmaceutical companies.

Eddie’s success in the pharmaceutical industry, including the establishment of the Century pharmacy chain, further underscores the family’s significant contributions to Indonesia’s healthcare sector.

Yetty Lembong

Yetty Lembong, Tom’s mother, hails from Tuban, East Java, and served as a dedicated homemaker. Her role as the backbone of the family was invaluable.

As a housewife, Yetty provided the nurturing environment that allowed her husband and children to thrive. Her roots in Tuban, a coastal town with a rich cultural heritage, reflect the diverse background of the Lembong family, blending Manadonese and Javanese influences.

Yetty’s commitment to family life ensured stability as the Lembongs moved between countries during Tom’s childhood. From Germany, where the family lived until Tom was 10, to Jakarta, where he attended Sekolah Regina Pacis for his primary and junior high education, Yetty’s presence provided continuity and support.

Her role, though less publicized, was integral to fostering the family’s strong values, including their shared Catholic faith, which remains a cornerstone of their identity.