Sixth president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) talks with fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri (right) at the funeral of his wife, Ani Yudhoyono, at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, Sunday (2/6/2019).
Ibu Ani Yudhoyono, first lady to former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), was buried in a military funeral on Sunday. The public were pleased to note that the political elites saw through their differences and stood united in paying their last respects to Ibu Ani.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Kristiani “Ani” Herrawati Yudhoyono was interred at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon. The nation lost a humanitarian fighter, an inspiring first lady and a champion of inclusivity who always fought for unity that transcended identity boundaries.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo led the military funeral for Ibu Ani. A last-respects ceremony at the private residence of the Yudhoyono family in Puri Cikeas in Bogor, West Java, was led by House of Representatives Speaker Bambang Soesatyo.
The President said that Indonesia had lost one of its best female figures. Ibu Ani was a first lady respected for her compassion, sincere humanitarian struggles and as a mother of an inspiring and exemplary family.
President Jokowi said that, throughout her life, Ibu Ani had always served the nation. Indonesians were grateful and deeply respectful toward her for her dedication. “The flamboyant blossom has died but she will live on in the hearts of all Indonesians who loved her,” he said.
Social groups
Ibu Ani’s funeral was attended by people from various social groups and political parties. Political leaders from opposing sides in the 2019 election were united in paying their last respects to Ibu Ani.
Former presidents BJ Habibie and Megawati Soekarnoputri also attended the funeral ceremony, as did former vice presidents Try Sutrisno and Boediono as well as former first lady Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid.
At the Yudhoyono family residence in Cikeas, figures from various political backgrounds mingled with one another at the funeral ceremony for Ibu Ani. The social media abounded at expressions of thankfulness that political figures stood united despite their differences. The hashtag #SelamatJalanIbuAniYudhoyono (#GoodbyeIbuAniYudhoyono) trended on Twitter from noon to nighttime on Sunday
The keyword “Bu Mega” also trended in the afternoon. Twitter users appreciated the fact that Megawati attended the funeral ceremony. Several Twitter users uploaded photographs of Megawati shaking SBY’s hand and conveying her condolences.
Some shared a photograph from 2013, when then-president SBY shook Megawati’s hand in the funeral ceremony for her husband Taufiq Kiemas. At the time, other than leading the ceremony, SBY was also present at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport when Taufiq’s body arrived by plane.
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said that Ibu Ani’s funeral ceremony was a way for everyone to pay their last respects and that there were no boundaries. “It was a familial event where everyone got together to mourn Ibu Ani’s passing. There were no boundaries. This was a way for the President and all former presidents to pay their deepest respects to her,” Pramono said.
Inclusive figure
In his speech at Cikeas, SBY said that championing kinship and unity among Indonesians regardless of identity and background had been Ibu Ani’s dream. SBY said that, in her life, Ibu Ani had loved everyone regardless of their religion, ethnicity or politics.
In his speech, Ibu Ani’s oldest son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono called for all Indonesians to work together to achieve noble goals, such as achieving harmony, peace, progress, welfare and justice for all Indonesians. “Indonesia for all, in line with Ibu Ani Yudhoyono’s dream,” Agus said.
Former West Nusa Tenggara governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi, a former member of SBY’s Democratic Party, said that Ibu Ani often served as mediator between opposing political sides. He said that tumults within the party were often resolved with Ibu Ani’s input as mediator.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan shared similar sentiments, saying that Ibu Ani could embrace people from various backgrounds. “She could reach out and talk to anyone. She was kind and had a broad insight,” he said.
Gerindra Party deputy secretary general Andre Rosiade, who attended the ceremony in Cikeas, said that Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto was abroad and could not attend the ceremony. However, Prabowo will visit SBY when he gets back to Indonesia on Monday.
The Indonesian diaspora in Rome held prayers for Ibu Ani. Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican, Agus Sriyono, was among the more than 50 attendees.
Ibu Ani died at 66 years of age in Singapore on Saturday after fighting against blood cancer since February. (LAS/AGE/INK/TRA/SPW/ADY/IGA/KRN/LSA/BKY)
