M. Yusuf gets nation's top honor

M. Yusuf gets nation's top honor

JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret.) Andi Amir M. Yusuf, one of the most
respected senior figures in the Indonesian Armed Forces, was
awarded the country's highest medal for meritorious services by
President Soeharto yesterday.

Yusuf was one of three Army generals who, on March 11, 1966,
secured a letter from then president Sukarno which changed the
course of the nation's history. Yusuf received the Bintang
Republik Indonesia Adipradana in a ceremony at the Merdeka Palace
at which President Soeharto handed out medals, of a lesser
stature but not less importance, to 43 others.

The day clearly belonged to 67-year old Yusuf, once dubbed by
the local media as "Mr. Clean" for his spotless and untarnished
image during his long career in the military and the government.

Born in Bone, South Sulawesi, Yusuf's award was given in
recognition for his dedication to the nation, dating back to the
independence struggle 50 years ago, and his public career which
included stints as industry minister from 1966 to 1978, defense
minister and Armed Forces chief between 1978 and 1983, and
chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency (Bepeka) between 1983 and
1993.

Yusuf, however, will probably be remembered most as one of the
three Army officers who in 1966 secured the document known as
Supersemar, an abbreviation of the March 11 Executive Order, from
Sukarno, giving then Army chief Gen. Soeharto virtually unlimited
power to restore peace and order in the country which was then in
shambles.

One of the first moves Soeharto made with that letter was to
dissolve the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), which was blamed
for the abortive coup the previous September. Soeharto
subsequently rose to power and has been at the helm since.

There has been controversy surrounding the way the Supersemar
was secured. Yusuf is the only one of the three generals still
alive.

There were no speeches at yesterday's brief and solemn
ceremony.

Soeharto decorated Teuku Mohammad Hasan, one of the principle
designers of the 1945 Constitution's Preamble. with the Bintang
Republik Indonesia Utama, the country's second highest medal.

The Bintang Republik Indonesia medal is given to those who
have made an extraordinary contribution to the unity, glory and
existence of the state. It has five-classes with Adipradana being
the highest, followed by the Utama class.

The Bintang Republik Indonesia was last awarded in 1992 with
the Utama class being given posthumously to eight members of
Indonesia's Preparatory Commission for Independence.

The President awarded various classes of the Mahaputera medal
to 42 people, including four women, for their contributions.

Eleven people who received the Mahaputera Adipradana are:
Chief Justice H. Soerjono; Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal
Tanjung; Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono; Navy Chief of Staff
Admiral T. Koeswanto; Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Rilo
Pambudi; National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro;
former home minister Anak Agung Gde Agung; former Army chief of
staff Gen. (ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar; former chief Justice
Soerjadi; former Navy Chief of staff Admiral (ret.) R. Kasenda;
and deputy chief justice Maj. Gen. (ret.) Djaelani.

Among the 26-recipients of the Mahaputra Utama medal are four
women: Siti Wahjunah Sjahrir, wife of first prime minister Sutan
Sjahrir; Johana Sunarti Nasution, wife of retired Gen. A.H.
Nasution; Mastini Hardjoprakorso, head of the National Library;
and senior journalist Herawati Diah.

Other recipients are: Lt. Gen. Soedibyo; Lt. Gen. Mutojib; Lt.
Gen. (ret.) H.B.L. Mantiri; Lt. Gen. (ret.) Himawan Sutanto; Lt.
Gen. (ret.) Rais Abin; Lt. Gen. Sukarto; Surjadi Soedirdja; Hasan
Basri Durin; Lt. Gen. Soerjadi; Rear Adm. (ret.) Soedibyo
Rahardjo; Rear Adm. Abu Hartono; Rear Adm. (ret.) Sumitro; rear
Adm. (ret.) Syamsul Bahri; Maj. Gen. (ret.) Suryo Sumpeno; Maj.
Gen. Pranowo; Maj. Gen. (ret.) R. Nuriana; Maj. Gen. (ret.) M.
Yasin; Bambang Kesowo; Rahadi Ramelan; Djali Ahimsa; Sahala P.
Napitupulu; and Zainal Asikin Kusumah Atmadja.

Diplomat Soedarpo Sastrosatomo was the sole recipient of the
Mahaputra Pratama, while four other honorees -- Dardji
Darmodihardjo, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Andi Matalata, Brig. Gen. (ret.)
Imam Soedarwo, and Oyon Tahyan -- rounded up the list as
recipients of the Mahaputra Nararya. (mds)