Soesilo dies after battling illness

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Soesilo Soedarman died yesterday at Harapan Kita Hospital, West Jakarta after suffering lung disease complications for the past three weeks.

He was 69 years old.

Soesilo is survived by his wife, Widaningsri, two sons, a daughter, and six grandchildren.

Soesilo's second son, Indroyono Soesilo, said the minister passed away at 3:32 p.m. yesterday, 15 days after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot under his lungs.

"My father asked for medical treatment at Harapan Kita Hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties on Dec. 1," Indroyono said.

"He appeared to have recovered then, but three days later he again complained of breathing difficulties, which was why the doctors decided to operate on Dec. 4."

Indroyono said his father died in the presence of family members, except youngest son Triharyo, who was on his way to Jakarta from Bontang, East Kalimantan.

"Father left us a last message, that we, his children, must remain close to one another and take care of our mother," Indroyono said, adding that Soesilo called him from the hospital a fortnight ago.

"We are ikhlas (accepting with heart and soul) to let him go," he added.

In October, Soesilo was admitted to the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta for treatment.

Soesilo will be buried this afternoon at the Kalibata National Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta, in a military ceremony presided over by Minister of Defense Edi Sudradjat. He was a retired Army general with 21 meritorious service awards from the government and Armed Forces.

Vice President Try Sutrisno and cabinet ministers joined last night a deluge of mourners at Soesilo's residence on Jl. Panglima Polim III/4, South Jakarta.

The ministers included Edi, Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto, and Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher.

Former vice presidents Sudharmono and Umar Wirahadikusumah and former minister of home affairs Rudini, noted businessmen, including Sudwikatmono and Sukamdani Sahid Gitosardjono, also paid their last respects.

President Soeharto is expected to pay his last respects this morning.

Soesilo, also a former minister of post and telecommunications and Indonesian ambassador to the United States, is the fourth cabinet minister who have died while in service. The others were Minister of Education Soemantri Brodjonegoro in 1973, State Minister for Women's Roles Lasiah Sutanto in 1987 and Minister of Education and Culture Nugroho Notosusanto in 1985.

Memories

Some of the country's prominent figures expressed their condolences yesterday, recalling Soesilo as a tough fighter both on and off the battlefield.

As a junior officer who graduated from the Yogyakarta Military Academy, he took part in an historic military attack under Lt. Col. Soeharto, now the country's President, to take over then capital Yogyakarta for six hours on March 1, 1949, from Dutch colonial forces.

Try Sutrisno recalled Soesilo for his modesty, honesty and piety.

"It's (Soesilo's death) a khusnul khotimah (good ending)," he said in a rare interview with reporters. The Arabic expression is usually attributed to a person who dies in God's blessing.

Former Armed Forces deputy chief and minister of defense Gen. (ret) Maraden Panggabean, Soesilo's classmate in the military academy, said he had lost a real friend, someone who shared life's trials and tribulations.

"He's a soldier who dedicated his whole life for both the country and the Armed Forces. I thank him a lot for this," Panggabean said. Soesilo was Panggabean's assistant for personnel affairs from 1975 to 1978.

"We had not met in a long time. His death shocked me because I had intended to visit him recently," Panggabean added.

Another fellow freedom fighter, Lt. Gen. (ret) Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, remembered Soesilo as a hardworking man, one who was faithful to his ideals and avoided a glamorous life.

"He had been my friend since the Japanese colonial era in the early 1940s. His fighting spirit and perfectionism impressed me," Sayidiman said. Sayidiman was Soesilo's senior in the military academy.

Juniors also expressed their shock at Soesilo's death yesterday. Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, a Deputy House Speaker, said he had lost a wise mentor.

"He's a man of broad knowledge with ready advice. He often told me that I would only be able to work with enthusiasm if I understood the reasons for working," Syarwan said.

Nelinda, Soesilo's secretary when he was minister for tourism, post and telecommunications from 1988 to 1993 recalled Soesilo as a fatherly figure.

"I remember how he supported my plan to pursue postgraduate study in 1994. He was very glad because I wanted to pursue my study at that time," she said. (aan/icn/amd)

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