JAKARTA - Thousands of Indonesians gathered in Jakarta on Thursday to mourn former president B.J. Habibie, who came to power as the world’s fourth largest nation endured a turbulent transition to democracy after former strongman Suharto stepped down in 1998.
People lined the streets as the cortege drove through central Jakarta for the state funeral at the Kalibata Heroes Memorial Park, where President Joko Widodo was set to lead the ceremony. It fell to Habibie to oversee unpopular economic reforms prescribed by the International Monetary Fund at the height of the financial crisis, that were needed to bring inflation down from more than 80% and stabilize a rupiah currency after its value had crashed.
Habibie also eased discriminatory policies against Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese minority, including allowing the speaking and teaching of Mandarin and use of Chinese names that was previously discouraged by Suharto. Mahathir Mohamad, prime minister of neighboring Malaysia, posted his condolences on Twitter and said the death of Habibie was a “big loss”.
RIP Habibie. It’s a longtime since I met with Pak - he certainly helped industries develop in Indonesia and ensured a smooth transition from the Suharto era.
Thanks to Habibie. Thanks to his Family. And Thanks to Jerman.
theres are dark completely, look like a perfect eclipse, and theres are on, she like the big ben without the cycle, the sapphire are wonderful, and the cats cross are out of order and came down alone. What's that mmm
Fl0r_Geneva F
He calmed the masses when trend was against the Chinese during transition and stabilized the Rubiyah, a great leader
there are dark completely, look like an eclipse, and he are on, he like the big ben without the cycle, the sapphire are wonderful, and the cross are out of order and came down alone. What's that mmm
RIP....BJ Habibie
He was a President as well as a genius aircraft and made the foundation of democracy in Indonesia to look like today. Goodbye Mr. President 🙏 RIPBJhabibie
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