Former NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya Buried On Adonara Island With Military Ceremony

Funeral of former NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

KUPANG - The body of former East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor, Frans Lebu Raya, was buried in Watoone Village, Adonara Island, East Flores Regency, with a military ceremony by TNI personnel from Kodim 1624 East Flores.

NTT Provincial Secretary, Benedict Polo Maing, expressed his gratitude to the provincial government for the extended family of Frans Lebu Raya as well as the village community to the district for donating one of their best sons to lead NTT.

"The late Frans Lebu Raya was a person who was highly dedicated in service and service to various innovations to develop this area", he said, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 22.

Previously, the plan for a military funeral was conveyed by the Deputy Governor of NTT, Josef Nae Soi, when Frans' body arrived in Kupang from Bali.

Nae Soi said Frans Lebu Raya was a national figure who received a major merit star in 2015, so the funeral ceremony must be carried out with a state ceremony and military honors.

The provincial government wants Frans to be buried in the Dharma Loka Heroes Cemetery in Kupang City.

"Regarding the place, because it is a custom from Adonara, it will be buried there, but still with state and military ceremonies", he said.

Frans Lebu Raya passed away on Sunday, December 19 at noon, after being treated intensively at the Bali Sanglah Hospital.

Frans Lebu Raya is known as a figure and senior of the PDI-P party. Some of his work in the NTT PDI-P was Deputy Chairman of the DPC PDI Kupang Municipality for Membership and Cadreization (1994-1995), Secretary of the Executive Team of the Pro-Mega PDI NTT Regional Executive Board Province (1995-1998).

In 1998-2000, Frans served as Secretary of the PDI NTT Regional Executive Board and in 2000-2019 was elected as Chairman of the PDI NTT Regional Executive Board.

Apart from being in the party, Frans also had a brilliant political career, namely as a Member of the Provincial Regional House of Representatives of NTT for the 1999-2004 Period and served as Deputy Chair of the NTT Regional House of Representatives.

Before being Governor of NTT for two terms, 2008-2003 and 2013-2018, he was Deputy Governor of NTT for the 2003-2008 period, paired with Pieter Alexander Tallo who was elected through the 2003 NTT Regional House of Representatives session.