Hero Utomo Kuntjoro-Jakti dies

Hero Utomo Kuntjoro-Jakti dies

JAKARTA (JP): Dr. Hero Utomo Kuntjoro-Jakti, one of
Indonesia's leading international relations experts and director
of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of
Indonesia, passed away Monday night at the age of 51.

He died at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital three days after
surgery on an ulcer. He was buried yesterday morning at a family
cemetery in Rangkasbitung, Banten, West Java, yesterday morning.

He is survived by his wife, Ani Widyani, and a two-and-a-half
year-old baby daughter.

Hero earned a doctorate degree in political sciences from the
University of Washington in 1988.

Prior to his recent position, Hero was head of the
International Relations Department at the University of Indonesia
(UI).

He did several studies on international relations between
Indonesia and other countries, particularly East Asian nations.

His brother, economist Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, recalled
Hero as a good discussion mate especially when it came to talks
on East Asian states.

Yusron Ihza, a journalist, fondly remembered his former
teacher: "He was my teacher when I studied at the school of
sociopolitical sciences at UI in 1978, and somehow we became
friends afterwards."

Among those who paid their respects yesterday were University
of Indonesia rector M.K. Tadjudin, historian Taufik Abdullah,
former director of PT Freeport Ali Budiardjo, economist Sjahrir
and representatives from several foreign ambassadors. (09)