Former Navy chief, Mochammad Romly dies at 72

Former Navy chief Adm. (ret) Mochammad Romly died on Thursday night of an undisclosed illness at the Puri Cinere Hospital in South Jakarta. He was 72.

The Admiral, a former Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, was buried on Friday at the National Heroes Cemetery in Kalibata, South Jakarta, in a military ceremony presided over by Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Indroko Sastrowiryono.

Antara reported that his body, which had been laid out at his residence on Jl. Punak in Pangkalan Jati, South Jakarta, was paid homage by former vice president Try Sutrisno, Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and several other senior officers.

After heading the Navy Staff & Command School in 1973, Romly moved on to become Navy deputy chief in 1977 before he was appointed to lead the operational division at the Ministry of Defense and Security in 1978.

In 1982, he was appointed Navy Chief and retired in 1987, and was appointed Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Romly's dedication to his country and the Navy was recognized with many honors including the Mahaputra Adi Pradana Star, the Dharma Star, the Primary Jalasena Star, the Jalasena Nararya Star, the Sewindu Star, the Satya Lencana Military Operation medals and the Satya Lencana Wira Dharma medal. (ylt)