Former Bakin chief Maulani to be laid to rest in heroes cemetery

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former National Intelligence Coordinating Body (Bakin) chief Lt. Gen. (ret) Zaini Azhar Maulani died on Tuesday after being treated at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital since January.

He was 66 years old.

One of his children, Olga, said diabetes and a related lung complication were causes of death.

"His health began to decline in August last year. He fell into a coma 16 days ago and never regained consciousness," she said.

Maulani was moved to the Intensive Care Unit before he died.

His body now lies in state at the Army Hospital's funeral home and he will be buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery on Wednesday in a military ceremony.

Among mourners who paid tribute to him on Tuesday were Constitutional Court chief Jimly Asshiddiqie, House of Representatives member Hamdan Zoelva, deputy Indonesian Ulema Council chairman Amidhan, Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen. Agustadi and National Intelligence Body (BIN) deputy Muchdi P.R.

Born in Marabahan, Barito Kuala in South Kalimantan on Jan. 6, 1939, Maulani graduated from the Military Academy in 1961. He was eventually promoted to the Tanjungpura military commander overseeing Kalimantan.

Leaving Kalimantan, Maulani took up some civilian posts, including the secretary-general of the Ministry of Transmigration, an expert advisor to the State Minister of Research and Technology Office and as secretary to Vice President B.J. Habibie.

After succeeding president Soeharto who stepped down, Habibie appointed Maulani the Bakin chief in September 1998, replacing Lt. Gen. (ret) Muthojib.

Bakin was renamed BIN with less powers under the tenure of president Abdurrahman Wahid, who named the late Lt. Gen. (ret) Arie J. Kumaat the body's chief in 2000.

Maulani was also an author. He wrote two books; Zionism: A Movement to Conquer the World and Afghanistan War: A War to Establish American Hegemony in Central Asia after retiring from state jobs.

He was also active in the Association of Indonesian Muslim Students Alumni, an organization which he chaired until around two weeks ago. The Muslim organization is now led by former state minister of regional autonomy Ryaas Rasyid.

Jimly said Maulani was an intellectual general.

"His lucid way of thinking was his advantage in addressing problems. The nation has lost one of its best sons," Jimly said.

Maulani is survived by his wife and six children.