Once Together In Government, SBY Remembers Hamzah Haz: He Joins Reform

The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) at the funeral, Jogjogan Village, Puncak Area, Cisarua, Bogor Regency, West Java, Wednesday (24/7/2024). (ANTARA/M Fikri Setiawan)

JAKARTA - The 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) recalled the services of the 9th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Hamzah Haz while jointly serving in government.

"We lost one of the nation's best sons today. His services are great, both in leading this country and in previous struggles in the world of politics, in the world of da'wah, and so on," said SBY when attending a funeral ceremony in Jogjogan Village, Puncak Area, Cisarua, Bogor Regency, West Java, Wednesday, July 24, confiscated by Antara.

He admitted that regarding Hamzah Haz when they both managed the crisis and reformed at the first level. Then together at the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

At that time Hamzah Haz led the United Development Party (PPP) and SBY was the chairman of the ABRI faction at the MPR RI.

"He took part in promoting reform and democratization that this nation needs to do," said SBY.

Then, both of them served as ministers in the era of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur. At that time Hamzah Haz served as Coordinating Minister for Welfare, while SBY was Minister of Mines and Energy.

Then their career continued during the reign of the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, Hamzah Haz, served as Vice President and SBY as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

"My memory is quite beautiful, he has passion for concern and does a lot to advance education, health, and social activities, including Islamic da'wah," said SBY.

He considered Hamzah Haz to be a person who also cares about the economy, investment, and state budget.

"This means that he has quite a lot of talent and his services are recorded forever in history. Hopefully this will take the deceased to face Allah SWT," he said.

Hamzah Haz's body was buried right next to the tomb of his late wife Asmaniah in the Al-Ikhlas Foundation area, namely the educational environment in the form of campuses and vocational schools founded by Hamzah Haz.

The final resting place for the 9th Vice President is located in a small pavilion not far from the Jami' Al-Ikhlas Mosque.

Hamzah Haz's body was dispatched to the family grave after being prayed at the mosque in front of the funeral home in the Matraman area, Jakarta.

Before leaving the body, a military ceremony procession was also carried out after being officially handed over from the family to the government. The bodies were dispatched at around 14.30 WIB.

"We, the family, let everything be, what you aspire to, of course, we will follow up," said Hamzah Haz's 4th son, Nur Agus Haz at the funeral home.