He was the founder of Pasaraya department store and television network Lativi, as well as the former Indonesian minister in the New Order era.

Latief's father was a textile trader and his mother was an activist in Aisyiyah (a part of the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization).

Latief is also involved in the property business with development of Sentraya 41-storey skyscraper in Blok M, South Jakarta.

[3] At the end of 1990s, Abdul Latief as well as Fahmi Idris, Aminuzal Amin, and Nasroel Chas established a joint venture company Nagari Development Corporation (NDC), which aims to improve the Minangkabau community.

Today, all of his business in retailing, media, property, advertising, finance, and agrobusiness are grouped in the ALatief Corporation.