Independence pioneer Hamid Algadri dies aged 87

Hamid Algadri, a freedom fighter and chairman of an organization of Indonesian independence pioneers, died early yesterday at Medistra Hospital. He was 87.

He was buried in a simple ceremony led by Minister of Foreign Affair Ali Alatas yesterday afternoon at Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery in South Jakarta. He is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.

According to relatives, Hamid died of old age. He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for five days.

Born on July 10, 1910 in Pasuruan, East Java, Hamid played a significant role in Indonesia's struggle for independence and in the birth of the Republic of Indonesia.

In 1930, he became a member of Jong Islamieten Bond, a youth movement pushing for Indonesia's freedom.

Hamid, who was of Arab descent, later joined the Indonesia- Arab Union (PAI) which sought to unite people of Arab descent and local citizens in their fight for independence.

Hamid was also advisor to the Round Table conference in The Hague on Dec. 27, 1949 which worked out an agreement for the transfer of sovereignty from The Netherlands to the then Republic of the United States of Indonesia.

Indonesia was a united states country before it became a republic on Sept. 6, 1950.

Between 1950 and 1955, Hamid was an elected member of the House of Representatives from the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI) faction.

Hamid was also recognized internationally for his efforts. He was awarded the Nishan Iftigar and L'ordre Du Merite National stars from the Tunisian and Algerian governments respectively for his contribution in the countries' struggle for independence.

Among those who paid their last respects at Hamid's residence on Jl. Dr. Kusumaatmadja in Central Jakarta, were Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance Saleh Affif, Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono, and Director General of Tax Fuad Bawazier.

Also present were former cabinet minister Emil Salim, the family of economic guru Soemitro Djojohadikusumo, Secretary of Development Operations Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono, Army special forces (Kopassus) chief Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, Jakarta Regional Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and President Soeharto's youngest daughter Siti Hutami Adiningsih. (09)