Remembering the 3rd President of Indonesia, Baharuddin Jusuf Habibie, or B. J. Habibie. Not only known as the President but Habibie was also known as the Father of Science and Aviation in Indonesia. (Image via Warta Kota - Tribunnews.com)

Third President of Indonesia, B. J. Habibie, has passed away at 83

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
News Flash Indonesia
Sep 12, 2019
1706
The third President of Indonesia, Baharuddin Jufuf Habibie, or often abbreviated as B. J. Habibie, passed away on Wednesday (11/9) at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD Gatot Subroto), 6.05 pm local time. The news was announced by Habibie’s second son, Thareq Habibie.

“The doctors have done their best, but there is nothing could be done. We ask for your prayers and understanding as we are mourning,” said Thareq to the media.

Treated at the hospital since Monday (2/9) last week, the third president of Indonesia following the 30-year reign of Soeharto, passed away due to heart failure. Last March, Habibie also underwent treatment in Germany due to heart valve regurgitation.

During the mourning, the 7th and the current President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, generally known as Jokowi, was also present at the hospital. Jokowi then stated his condolences and his message for the deceased’s family in front of the media.

“To Allah, we all shall return. On behalf of the Indonesian people, the government, please let me express the deepest sorrow to the passing away of Professor B. J. Habibie. Not only known as the third President of Indonesia, but Professor Habibie is also known as the Indonesian ‘Father of Technology’, and as a scientist,” stated Jokowi.

“We hope that the deceased’s family may be given patience, strength, and fortitude to go through this and continue to aspire Indonesia as what Professor Habibie had done during his lifetime,” concluded the 7th President of Indonesia.

Across his house at Jalan Patra Kuningan XIII, Blok L XV Kav 5, Kuningan, wreaths from numerous public figures flooded the street.

Minister of State Secretariat, Pratikno, ordered the Indonesian citizens to fly the Indonesian flag at half-mast in remembrance of Habibie for three days until Saturday (14/9). For the burial ceremony, Pratikno stated that the preparation and rehearsal are being done. Jokowi will lead the procession.

A love that never ceases through time, the deceased is going to be buried at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetary, South Jakarta. The tomb is set next to B. J. Habibie’s wife, Ainun Habibie.

REMEMBERING B. J. HABIBIE

Not only Indonesia but many nations also addressed their condolences and grief to the passing away of B. J. Habibie. One of which was the closest to him, Germany. Ambassador of Germany for Indonesia, Peter Schoof, addressed his condolences while remembering that Habibie had contributed tremendously to the bilateral relations of Germany and Indonesia.

Habibie continued his higher study in 1955 at RWTH Aachen University, West Germany, majoring in aerospace engineering and aviation. In 1988, Habibie was honored by Germany Honorary Citizenship and known to have formed close relations with communities of German politicians, scientists, and counselors.

Dedicating his knowledge in science and aeronautics, Habibie served as the State Minister of Research and Technology from 1973 to 1998. B. J. Habibie rose to power following the resignation of the 2nd President of Indonesia, Soeharto, after reigning for 8 terms. According to Article 8 of The 1945 State Constitution, the position has to be filled by Habibie as Soeharto’s vice president.

Filling the seat as the 3rd President of Indonesia did not make it easier for Habibie as Soeharto passed down a horrendous economic condition that needed to be fixed such as the astronomical forex rate against Indonesian Rupiah and inflation rate which went to 54.54% just after two months of his reign. Habibie also sparked tension between Indonesia and Singapore after referring to the country as a “little red dot”.

Believe it or not, Habibie’s effort to regain stability for Indonesia’s economy could not be separated from his expertise in aeronautics. Imitating its principle, Habibie proposed the formation of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency and State Asset Management Unit to recapitulate and restructure the Indonesian banking sector.

By merging four government-owned banks: Bank Bumi Daya (BBD), Bank Dagang Negara (BDN), Bank Expor Impor (Exim), and Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo), Bank Mandiri was born.

Amid the economic crisis that swept Indonesia in 1998, through his policies and regulations, Habibie managed to bring the U.S Dollar’s rate (USD) back to Rp6,000 per USD from Rp15,000 by the end of his term which only lasted about 16 months.

Habibie is also known as the Indonesian Father of the Aerospace Industry. In 1976, he established Nurtanio Aviation Industry Institution (Lembaga Industri Penerbangan Nurtanio/LIPNUR) as the only airplane factory in ASEAN at that time. Then, the company changed its name to Nusantara Aircraft Industry (Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara [IPTN]), and now, it is known as Indonesian Aerospace (PT Dirgantara Indonesia).

Source: https://www.liputan6.com/global/read/4060683/kabar-bj-habibie-meninggal-jadi-sorotan-dunia

Politics , Figure , B.J.Habibie , President , Indonesia , Science , Aircraft , Aviation