Ali Alatas Former Indonesia Foreign Minister Dies

The Jakarta Post reports:

Former foreign minister and seasoned diplomat Ali Alatas died Thursday morning of a heart attack at Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth hospital, aged 76. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Alatas had been admitted with heart problems to Medistra hospital in Jakarta on Nov. 20, but was transported to Singapore four days later.

His body was flown to Jakarta on Thursday evening and taken to his family home in Kemang, South Jakarta. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will lead the military burial procession Friday morning at the Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery in South Jakarta.

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. May God bless his soul. Rest in peace Mr Ali Alatas. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Flowing Tributes

Lavishing and flattering tribute for “the face of Indonesia” come from around the world. Inquirer, for example, calls him as a “towering leader of Asean”:

The late Indonesian foreign minister, Ali Alatas, was a “towering” leader of Asean, the regional bloc’s secretary general Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said Thursday night, as he offered — in behalf of all Asean — his condolences to the family Alatas left behind.

“It is the end of an era. Bapak Ali was a towering figure not only in Asean but also in the Third World and Non-Aligned Countries. He was a great son and a true patriot of Indonesia,” he said.

“In the passing of Bapak Ali, we have not only lost a dear friend but a diplomatic giant. He was a great inspiration to us all. His permanent absence will be a big void in our regional diplomatic landscape,” he added.

Meanwhile, Australia’s ABC calls him as “face of Indonesia” to the world.

Australian foreign ministers past and present have paid tribute to Ali Alatas. The former Indonesian Foreign Minister, who died yesterday, was the public face of Indonesia during much of the turbulent 1980s and 90s.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says Mr Alatas made a major contribution to the modern Australian-Indonesian relationship.