12 Facts About Tantowi Yahya

In 2009, Tantowi became a member of the Indonesian parliament from the Golkar Party, representing South Sumatra province.

Tantowi Yahya was born and raised in a simple family background.

Tantowi Yahya was known as a great footballer, badminton player, religious leader, accordion player, and an avid singer.

Tantowi Yahya fell in love with country music when he first listened to country songs by Elvis Presley when he was seven.

Tantowi Yahya was dubbed "the most popular country singer in Indonesia".

Tantowi Yahya stated that country music is his "second religion".

Tantowi Yahya is the founder of the Country Music Club of Indonesia.

Tantowi Yahya owned a music label, Ceepee, and event organizer CDP which organized Indonesian Beauty Pageants, the Indonesian Music Awards, AMI Awards, and television awards, Panasonic Awards.

In 2005, Tantowi Yahya visited the United States under a Multi-Nation Program by Eisenhower Fellowship.

Tantowi Yahya won the election by 240.000 votes and represented his native South Sumatra from 2009 to 2014.

In June 2013 Tantowi Yahya caused controversy when he visited Israel, as Indonesia does not formally recognize the state and does not have a diplomatic relationship with it.

FPI's spokesman Munarman stated that Tantowi Yahya "ignored the suffering of Palestinians" and stated that Tantowi Yahya should have visited Gaza instead.