"BJ Habibie is a true statesman, an inspirator, a scientist, who believes that without love, intelligence is dangerous. Science, faith, and piety must unite," President Jokowi affirmed during the funeral procession of ex-president BJ Habibie at the Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery in South Jakarta on Thursday.
Jokowi also pointed to Habibie truly being a role model for all the nation’s children, so Indonesia had lost one of its best sons.
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"We are here to pay our last respects to him, as a form of respect from the state and government for the services and dedication of the deceased to the nation and to science during his lifetime," Jokowi emphasized.
Jokowi believes that Habibie was a visionary thinker since being young and thought not only of himself but also of the Indonesian people.
Jokowi noted that the late Habibie not only thought about what was transpiring at the moment but also the years to come.
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"However, the deceased has been working and thinking for Indonesia 50 or also 100 years into the future, to make it a developed nation," the president remarked.
Jokowi highlighted that Habibie's vision gave birth to Indonesia's strategic industries, including the aircraft industry. One outcome was the Gatot Kaca aircraft that aired during the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.
"It is a historic event that is embedded in the minds of many Indonesian people. The event inspires us to be confident, inspires young people to rise up and learn, and make Indonesia stand in line with major countries in the world," Jokowi noted.
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Translator: Maria Rosari, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
