Grief at the end and beginning of the year
IO – The former Minister of Justice of the Republic of Indonesia in the last cabinet of the Soeharto era and the era of BJ Habibie died December 31 at 06:45 a.m. at the Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital, Jakarta. Muladi was positive for Covid-19 when he was tested on December 17, 2020.
The body of the former Diponegoro University Chancellor was buried in the Giri Tunggal Heroes’ Cemetery (TMP), Semarang, Central Java, moved from Jakarta, Thursday 31 December 2020 afternoon.
The former Chancellor of Diponegoro University (Undip) Semarang was buried in a military ceremony. The TNI soldiers who served in the funeral used complete PPE, according to the Covid-19 protocol.
The funeral procession was led by Undip Semarang Rector, Prof. Yos Johan Utama. Yos Johan said that Muladi was a visionary figure who held fast to his faith. “He was not only a teacher, but also a role model for us,” he said.
Muladi was born in Surakarta on 26 May 1943 as the youngest son of Dasijo Darmo Soewito and Sartini. His father, who came from East Java, worked as a police officer. Muladi moved to Semarang, following his father who was transferred into the city. Muladi was known as a naughty boy during his childhood. As a result, Muladi failed classes in elementary and junior high school, from which he did not graduate.
Muladi still continued his higher education in the Indonesian Institute High School, a private educational institution. After he graduated, Muladi was accepted in Diponegoro University, opting to study in the Law and Societal Studies Faculty of the university.
Muladi was an active member of the Indonesian National Student Movement. He also joined in the Students’ Regiment, a student paramilitary organization. After graduating he was hired as an employee in the OPS oil and gas company, where he served from 1966 until 1969.
Muladi began his political career when he was appointed as the Regional Delegate to the People’s Consultative Assembly on 1 October 1997. A year later, Muladi was appointed as the Minister of Justice in Suharto’s seventh and last cabinet, on 14 March 1998. The cabinet lasted for only two months, as Suharto resigned on 21 May 1998.
Habibie, Suharto’s vice president, replaced him, then forming a new cabinet, in which Muladi served again as Minister of Justice. Habibie’s cabinet was formed on 23 May 1998 and was dissolved on 20 October 1999, following his impeachment and resignation as President.
From 10 May until 20 October 1999, Muladi served as an ad-interim Minister of State Secretary. The previous officeholder, Akbar Tandjung, resigned from his office to campaign for Golkar in the 1999 Indonesian legislative election. (Roosyudhi Priyanto)
Famous figures leave and don’t return. They passed away at the end of 2020 and early 2021. From various professions, they made meaningful contributions to the nation. May the deeds of worship be accepted by God and all sins forgiven. Rest in peace.