VIVAnews – Ali Alatas is finally laid to rest this morning, Friday, 12 December 2008 at 9.30am local time. Ali Alatas was buried with military honors at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta.
President Yudhoyono led the burial ceremony. He remembered Ali as a bright diplomat, a respected international figure, and a respectable citizen. “The military honor is a form of appreciation from the country and the government,” said Yudhoyono, in his speech.
Yudhoyono added that Ali has dedicated his entire life for the good of the nation and country. “He was known as a skilled diplomat and a bright negotiator. Very resolute in fighting for Indonesia’s interests,” added Yudhoyono.
Ali, also familiarly known by many as Alex, was born on 4 November 1932. He passed away yesterday morning from heart disease, at Mt. Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, Thursday, 11 December 2008, at 07.30am, at the age of 76.
With the passing of Ali Alatas, Indonesia has lost one of its best sons. Alex was Indonesia’s foreign minister for 12 years, from 1987 to 1999, during Soeharto’s and then Habibie’s administration. Alex had also served as the Indonesian Ambassador for the United Nations.
Even after he no longer held any official governmental position, his advice was often sought by the government.
Alex started his career at the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1956, after graduating from Overseas Duty Academy (ADLN) and University of Indonesia’s Law Faculty. Alex had been a diplomat in Indonesian Embassies in Bangkok and Washington, D.C.
Alex’s career then took off when he was appointed as Spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and as the Foreign Minister’s Chief Secretariat during Adam Malik’s era. Before he became Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Alex was the Indonesian President’s Executive Secretary.
Alex also once served the Indonesian Ambassador for the United Nations in Geneva. He took the opportunity to serve as spokesperson for all developing countries.
Due to his proven skills, talents and experience in leading Indonesia’s foreign diplomacy, he was nominated for United Nations Secretary General by several Asian countries in 1996.
Alex’s role in peacekeeping was also important. He played a role in resolving several conflicts in the world, such as in Cambodia, South Philippines, and Timor Leste.
Ali Alatas received three of the country’s highest medals of Honor, bestowed upon him by the Indonesian government: Bintang Mahaputera Utama from President Soeharto on 12 August 1982, Bintang Republic Indonesia Utama on 6 August 1998, and Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana for his service and dedication to the country.
Before passing away, Alex played a role in the birth of ASEAN Charter in July 2008. Despite delays in the official implementation of the Charter because the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand have not deposited their ratification instruments with the ASEAN Secretary General, and because of the dire political conditions in Thailand, ten ASEAN Foreign Ministers had planned a meeting before the ASEAN Summit in order to launch the official implementation of the ASEAN Charter on 15 December 2008 in Jakarta.
Alex is survived by his wife, Yunisa Alatas, and three daughters, Soraya, Nadia and Fauzia, and eight grandchildren.
Translated by: Ramona Sofianne Dewi
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