Final Tribute to Juwono Sudarsono: Body Laid in State at Ministry of Defence Building

The body of former Defence Minister Prof. Juwono Sudarsono is being laid in state at the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) building in Jakarta on Sunday (29/3) morning. The laying in state ceremony began at 08:00 WIB in the Silent Room as a form of tribute to the figure who served under four presidential administrations. Head of the Defence Information Bureau of Kemhan, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the family and Kemhan are opening opportunities for national figures and mourners who wish to give their final respects. “If there are national figures who will attend, offer condolences, and so on, they are welcome,” said Rico. Based on the schedule, the laying in state will continue until 11:00 WIB. After that, the body release procession will be led directly by Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan. “Then the body will be escorted to Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery (TMP) after the release from the Ministry of Defence at 11:00 WIB,” added Rico. Juwono Sudarsono breathed his last on Saturday (28/3) at 13:45 WIB at Pondok Indah Hospital, Jakarta. This Professor of International Relations at the University of Indonesia was known as an accomplished bureaucrat trusted to hold various ministerial positions, including Defence Minister during two different presidential terms. The late is scheduled to be buried at TMP Kalibata, South Jakarta, today with a military ceremony as an appreciation for his services to the nation.