Government honors Tong Djoe

JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Ali Alatas (right) yesterday presented the Jasa Pratama medal to business tycoon Tong Djoe (left) for meritorious service to the country, including help to normalize diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China.

"Tong Djoe is an example of an Indonesia who, without thinking of rank or position, has contributed much to the nation," Alatas said during the presentation ceremony at the foreign ministry building here.

"He has shown that in any field of occupation, anybody can make a great contribution to the nation if they possess a strong sense of commitment and national pride," Alatas added.

Among Tong Djoe's notable contributions to the state are his role in the growth of the state shipping company Pelni and state oil company Pertamina.

Alatas also noted that in the foreign ministry in particular, Tong Djoe is noted for his role in normalizing relations between Jakarta and Beijing in 1990 after they had remained frozen for 23 years.

Born in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra, on Sept. 2, 1926, Tong Djoe is a renowned and successful entrepreneur. He has lived abroad for most of the past few years.

The award comes at a time when many Indonesians of Chinese descent are facing an uncertain future after being targeted by violent mobs during the May riots.

An obviously proud Tong Djoe was brimming with pleasure after receiving the medal. "This means the government does not disregard the people who contribute a lot to the country," he remarked.

When asked by journalists to comment on the question of ethnic relations in the country, he stressed the importance of building more trust between different ethnic groups.

Business tycoon Mochtar Riyadi, who was present at the ceremony, later told journalists that the presentation was timely given the public debate on ethnic relations.

"The sins of one tycoon should not be used as an excuse to bring suffering down upon the entire Chinese-Indonesian community, it just isn't fair," he said. (01)