Buya Syafii Maarif Dies, Megawati Grieves Until Absent Attends Indonesian Coffee Festival

PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri would actually attend the Indonesian Coffee Festival. However, Megawati canceled her attendance because she was mourning the death of the chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Buya Syafii Maarif.

"I just received confirmation (cancelled attending) because he mourns the death of Buya Syafii Maarif," Hasto told reporters at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) East Parking area, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Friday, May 27.

Hasto said Megawati was very close to Buya Syafii, who often became her discussion partner. Thus, the departure of Buya Syafii made the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia grieve.

"Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri today is really sad, because her best friend, her comrade in arms, her discussion partner have died, called by God Almighty," said Hasto.

"So Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri decided she would not participate in this coffee festival," he added.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the Indonesian Coffee Festival, the Chairperson of the PDIP DPP Puan Maharani specifically conveyed his condolences for the death of Buya Syafii Maarif.

"On behalf of myself, the Speaker of the DPR and representing the extended family of Megawati Soekarnoputri, I express my condolences for the death of Buya Safii Maarif," said Puan on the sidelines of the opening of the festival.

Prayers were delivered specifically for Buya Maarif. "May he be placed in the most commendable place with pious people," he said.

Previously, the former chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Buya Syafii Maarif, died at the age of 86 years. He breathed at the PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital, Yogyakarta.

"Buya Prof Dr H Ahmad Syafii Maarif has passed away on Friday, 27 May 2022, at 10.15 WIB at PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital," said Haedar in a written statement, Friday, May 27.

He asked the public to pray for the deceased and forgive his mistakes during his life. "Hopefully he is husnul khatimah, accepted for his deeds of worship, forgiven for his mistakes, opened in his grave, and placed in jannatun na'im," said Haedar.