So Long, Nation’s Inspirer

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

Indonesia’s third president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie is remembered as a strong figure who inspired the nation’s progress.

The departure of Indonesia’s third president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie left behind deep sorrow. Apart from his national leadership during Indonesia’s crucial transitional period in the late 1990s, Habibie has also left behind a strong legacy as an inspirer for the nation. His deeply motivating vision was that mastery of technology, such as aviation technology, would open the doors of progress to Indonesia.

Throughout his life, Habibie saw that Indonesia would achieve progress if it could successfully replace traditional oil and gas commodities to non-oil-and-gas ones.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recognized Habibie as an inspirational figure. For the President, Habibie was a world-class scientist who served as Indonesia’s Father of Technology.

ANTARA FOTO/M RISYAL HIDAYAT

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (second left) is accompanied by First Lady Iriana (third left) and son Gibran Rakabuming (left) as he delivers a press statement at Gatot Soebroto Central Army Hospital (RSPAD) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (11/9/2019). The President expressed his condolences over the death of Indonesia’s third President B.J. Habibie, who had died at 6:12 p.m. after undergoing intensive treatment for a heart condition since Sept. 1.

“We know Pak Habibie as a world-class scientist and Indonesia’s Father of Technology. He was also Indonesia’s third president. May his family who is left behind be given patience and be able to continue the life dreams of Bapak BJ Habibie,” Jokowi said at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital (RSPAD) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (11/9/2019).

The President said he had arrived at the hospital on Wednesday evening after Habibie had died. His last meeting with Habibie was on Monday. At the time, Habibie could not communicate because of his illness.

President Jokowi said Habibie was always supportive in giving input and solutions to various problems in Indonesia, both on economic and nationalism issues.

“He often came to the Palace and I to his residence. He was a statesman and a great example for all of us,” he said.

Habibie, who was born in Parepare, South Sulawesi, on June 25, 1936, died after undergoing intensive treatment since Sept. 1.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

The body of Indonesia’s third president B.J. Habibie is transported from Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD) in Central Jakarta to a funeral home in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (11/9/2019).

Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah Jusuf Kalla also conveyed their deepest condolences.

“We have lost one of the nation’s best sons. May he attain the holiest of places by His side,” Kalla said.

The previous day, Kalla and Mufidah visited Habibie, who was under intensive treatment at the RSPAD.

The government has declared a national day of mourning, with all public and private offices encouraged to fly the Red and White flag at half-mast for three days until Saturday (14/9). The order was issued as State Secretary Circular No. B-1010/M.Sesneg/Set/TU.00/09/2019, signed just moments after Habibie’s passing.

“We encourage everyone to fly the flag at half-mast. We declare three-day national mourning day until Sept. 14,” State Secretary Pratikno said at the State Secretariat on Wednesday evening.

In his circular, it is elaborated that the half-mast flag is to mark the highest respect for Habibie, the nation’s best son.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

The body of Indonesia’s third president B.J. Habibie arrives at a funeral home in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (11/9/2019). Habibie died at 6:12 p.m. at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD), Central Jakarta, after undergoing intensive treatment for a heart condition since Sept. 1.

On Wednesday evening, Habibie’s body was transported from RSPAD Gatot Soebroto to his residence in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The body would be delivered to the state on Thursday (12/9) at 12:30 p.m.

At 1 p.m., the body would be transported to the Heroes’ Cemetery. A funeral ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., led by Jokowi.

Key figure

In a visit to Habibie’s home in Kuningan on Wednesday evening, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Habibie had made many contributions to Indonesia. He was a key figure during Indonesia’s transition into becoming a democratic country.

University of Indonesia (UI) School of Economy and Business lecturer Ari Kuncoro credited BJ Habibie for laying the nation’s post-crisis economic foundations. Ari said Habibie’s strong foundations helped his predecessors plan national economic growth.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The body of Indonesia’s third resident B.J. Habibie is carried to a hearse at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD), Central Jakarta, to be taken to a funeral home in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (11/9/2019).

Indonesian Muslim Scholars Association (ICMI) chair Jimly Asshiddiqie said that, until the end of his life, Habibie continued to be an inspiration for Muslim scholars to adapt to scientific and technological advancements without neglecting faith and piety.

“Until the end of his life, he was still active in making scientific contributions to the nation and the state,” Jimly said.

Habibie chaired the ICMI’s Honorary Council and was also ICMI’s first chair from 1990 to 1995. He was known for his idea that Muslims should be educated and adaptable to technological advancements.

In Bandung, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil conveyed his deepest condolences for Habibie’s passing.

“Many parents used to tell their children, ‘You have to be smart like Habibie’. I was one of those children,” Ridwan said.