Sign of People\'s Love for a True Leader

· 5 minutes read

People\'s love for a statesman was evident during the funeral proceedings of Indonesia’s third president, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. From young to old, all took a moment to bid farewell to the "Father of Indonesian Technology".

At around 10 a.m. on Thursday (12/9/2019), people flocked to Habibie\'s last resting place at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery (TMP), South Jakarta, even though they knew that the body would not arrive until 1 p.m. If they were late, they feared that they would not be able to witness the ex-president\'s funeral proceedings.

"I never met him; I only saw him on television. However, I feel he contributed greatly to this country. I want to pay my last respects," said BisriKhaidar, 42, who works in Pancoran, South Jakarta, and had asked for time off work to attend the funeral.
Some who could not enter the cemetery chose to stand along the road. People lined up along roads from as far as the funeral home in PatraKuningan, South Jakarta, to the burial place at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. Their spirit did not fade despite the sting of the hot sun.
Akbar NurAgung, 34, who came with his 5-year-old son, said the occasion enabled him to introduce the figure of Habibie to his child. Habibie was a statesman and technocrat who could be used as an example to all the children of Indonesia.
"He was a figure of whom his area of origin could be proud. We are both from Sulawesi. We have a figure. Since childhood, the people of our area, if they want to be smart, have strived to be like Habibie. The figure of Habibie is very much something that I want to pass on to my child," Akbar said.
Despite having to spend hours in the sun, people remained steadfast in wanting to wait for Habibie\'s hearse to pass by. When the hearse approached, people accompanied it in tahlil prayers. The atmosphere was very solemn.
Those who chose to wait outside were not allowed to accompany the body to the gravesite.
Herman Priyatna, 57, who also took time off work to go to the cemetery and wait outside, said it did not matter that he could not enter the cemetery. "Just witnessing people\'s enthusiasm makes me happy. We sincerely intend to be here to send him off to heaven," he said.
KOMPAS/ERWIN EDHI PRASETYA
Teachers and students of state elementary school SDN Joglo in Solo, Central Java, jointly fly paper planes as a tribute to late former president B.J. Habibie in the school yard on Thursday (12/9/2019).
Inspiration for young people
Young people who wish to be like Habibie also flocked to the cemetery.
Putra BintangPamungkas, 23, a student at the Indonesian Technical Institute (ITI), Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten, said the presence of students from his campus was a form of appreciation toward Habibie. ITI is one of the universities that was established at the initiative of Habibie. Lectures were postponed so that the ITI community could bid farewell to Habibie at his final resting place.
According to Putra, many of Habibie\'s struggles could be continued, especially in the scientific field. He also expressed hoped that the N-250 aircraft, one of Habibie\'s masterpieces, would continue to be developed.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Daffa Muhammad, a class XI student at SMA PraditaDirgantara senior high school in Solo, Central Java. Daffa remembers the joy of having a discussion with Habibie in 2018 after he was named the best student at his school.
"At that time, I was welcomed in his room, which was full of books. He talked a lot about his background, about studying abroad and problems he encountered during his studies. It really motivated me to never give up and to never be afraid of embarking on something new," said Daffa.
Sophia, 33, a resident of Cengkareng, Jakarta, took her child, Reno, 4, to Habibie\'s residence in Patra Kuningan. She wanted to introduce Reno to a figure who had inspired the nation.
"When I was little, I was often reminded by my mother to study hard to be smart like Habibie. Therefore, I want my child to be like Habibie," she said.
Sophia also often told Reno how Habibie had strived to design his own aircraft. She also told Reno that Habibie, as the president, fought for post-reform democracy.
"My child may not understand what I am saying about Habibie because he was not alive during that era. However, I am sure that Habibie will not be forgotten over time," Sophia said.
Habibie not only left a legacy of knowledge in Indonesia, but also true love for the nation through his service. That love is held by its people and will be maintained through future generations.
Side by side
Clouds eventually blanketed the blazing sun. A gust of wind was immediately felt when Habibie\'s body was placed in his final resting place. Habibie\'s grave, which is adjacent to that of his late wife, HasriAinunBesari, was prepared by Irwansyah along with nine other burial officials. The officials started preparing the grave on Wednesday after sunset.
KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO
Jakartans watch the funeral procession of late former president B.J. Habibie at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta on Thursday (12/9/2019). Habibie died the day before after suffering from heart failure at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta.
"We made the grave as beautiful as possible for Pak Habibie. We arranged it neatly. This is the highest form of love and appreciation that will always be remembered. It will also be a story to tell my grandchildren," said Irwansyah, who went into to the grave with two of Habibie\'s sons, Ilham Akbar Habibie and Thareq Kemal Habibie.
Goodbye, Grandpa Habibie, from the people, who will always love and pray for you. (BOW/ SHR/ DVD/ VAN/AYU/ ERK)

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