TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
'Farewell, Memo' : Country's public figures gather for Ani Yudhoyono's funeral
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo spoke warmly of her many contributions to the nation.
Change Size
Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shakes hands with mourners during the funeral of his wife Kristiani Herrawati, better known as Ani Yudhoyono, on June 2 at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. (JP/Karina M. Tehusijarana)
A
bevy of former and current government officials gathered at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery to pay their final respects to former first lady Kristiani Herrawati, better known as Ani Yudhoyono.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo led the proceedings for the military funeral, which was attended by all of the country's living former presidents, including Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Ani, who would have been 67 in July, was the wife of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. She died in Singapore on Saturday following a four-month fight against blood cancer and is survived by her husband, two sons, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren.
President Jokowi spoke warmly of her many contributions to the nation.
"We, the people of Indonesia, have lost one of our greatest women figures," he said. "She was a first lady who was full of compassion, a sincere humanitarian, a mother of a happy family who consistently set an example for the country as a first lady, wife and mother."
Ani's eldest son, Agus Harimurti, gave the eulogy on behalf of the family, saying that his mother had accepted her cancer diagnosis with grace while remaining determined to fight against it.
"Farewell, Memo," he said haltingly, referring to the affectionate nickname given by her grandchildren. "We love you and we will miss you forever."
Yudhoyono, meanwhile, seemed overcome by emotion and tearfully thanked the crowd of people who lined up to express their condolences.
Other funeral attendees included former president BJ Habibie, former first lady Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, former foreign affairs minister Marty Natalegawa and the current governors of West, Central and East Java.
