President Jokowi Sends Condolences for Passing of Former President BJ Habibie
President Jokowi delivers statement on the passing of Prof. Dr. B.J. Habibie in Jakarta, Wednesday(11/9). (Photo: BPMI Presidential Secretariat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has conveyed his deepest condolences over the passing of the third President of the Republic of Indonesia Prof. Dr. Ing. Bacharuddin Jusuf (B.J.) Habibie.
“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun (rest in peace). I join the Government and the Indonesian people to extend our deepest condolences over the passing of Prof. B.J. Habibie,” President Jokowi said at Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (11/9).
Habibie passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday evening at 18.05 at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta after receiving intensive treatment since 1 September 2019 at the hospital following his deteriorated health condition.
President Jokowi recalled Habibie as a noble statesman, adding that he frequently discussed various national issues with the late Habibie.
“Habibie always offered solutions to every issue in our country, be it related to economic or national issues,” President Jokowi said, adding that Habibie is a figure who can be a role model for us.
“He is also a notable scientist who often called as Indonesia’s ‘Father of Technology’”, the President added.
The Government has announced it will prepare a state funeral for Habibie with President Jokowi himself leading the ceremony, according to Minister of State Secretary Pratikno on Wednesday evening.
The Government has also ordered flags outside official buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of Habibie.
The former President will be laid to rest at Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery, next to his late wife Ainun Habibie, who passed away in 2010.
Born on June 25, 1936 in the small town of Parepare in the eastern province of South Sulawesi, Habibie served as Minister of Research and Technology for twenty years in the administration of late President Soeharto. Habibie was then appointed as president following the resignation of President Soeharto in May 1998 and served in the role until elections were held in 1999.
Habibie was also known as world-class engineer educated in Indonesia, Germany, and the Netherlands. He spent nearly two decades working for German aircraft maker Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm before returning to Indonesia back in 1974. His works were internationally renowned, particularly on his contributions and inventions to the world aircraft technology that earned him numerous awards in various countries. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat/ES)
Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas
