Minister Of State Secretary Pratikno Expresses Condolences For The Death Of Arifin Panigoro

A member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres), Arifin Panigoro poses before the inauguration ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday (12/13/2019). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/foc.

JAKARTA - Minister of State Secretariat Pratikno expressed his condolences for the passing of member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) Arifin Panigoro.

"Innalillahi wa innailaihi rajiun, let's pray together, may the late Mr. Arifin Panigoro get the best place in the sight of Allah SWT," said Minister of State Secretary Pratikno in a written statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Monday, February 28.

Arifin Panitogoro died at the age of 76 in the United States on Sunday, February 27 at 14:29 Rochester Minneapolis time or Monday, February 28 at 03:29 WIB.

He breathed his last after receiving intensive care at a local hospital.

Arifin Panigoro is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council for the 2019-2024 period.

In 2019, Pratikno said that Arifin Panigoro was awarded the Mahaputera Nararya Star of Honor, based on Presidential Decree 72/TK/TH 2019 dated August 13, 2019.

"This Mahaputera Star is given to Indonesian sons and daughters who have given charity that has brought great benefits to the homeland and nation," added Pratikno.

Arifin Panigoro's body will be flown to Indonesia and according to the plan, it will be buried at Griya Jenggala funeral home – Jl. Jenggala 1 No. 2, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta.

Arifin Panigoro is known as the founder and owner of MedcoEnergi which is the largest private oil and gas mining company in Indonesia.

The Electrical Engineering alumnus of the Bandung Institute of Technology founded the Medco Group from a private contractor company in the field of onshore oil and gas drilling services in 1980.

Arifin is the 47th richest person in Indonesia according to Forbes.

In his political career, Arifin is known as a person who is close to students. He was accused of thwarting the General Assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly which was about to inaugurate Suharto as president for the seventh time in 1998.

At that time, he had a meeting with a number of political figures at the Radison Hotel, Yogyakarta. When the student action heated up and asked Suharto to step down, Arifin provided logistical assistance to the students who were demonstrating at the DPR Building.

After Suharto stepped down, Arifin then joined the political party PDIP and ran as a member of the DPR for the Tangerang Regency constituency in 1999 but in 2005, he resigned from the DPR and PDIP, then formed the Reform Democracy Party.