Condolence Messages on the Passing of Former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

President Halimah Yacob, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong have written to Bapak Ilham Akbar Habibie to convey their condolences on the passing of his father, former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has also written to Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi to convey his condolences.

Senior Minister Teo, who is on a working visit to Jakarta, also visited the late former President Habibie’s residence yesterday evening to pay his final respects, and to offer condolences to the family.

The text of the letters is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

12 SEPTEMBER 2019

Letter from President Halimah Yacob to Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie, son of former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

12 September 2019

Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie

Republic of Indonesia

Dear Bapak Ilham,

On behalf of the people of Singapore, my husband Mohamed and I express our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your beloved father, former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie.

Indonesia has lost a leader who steered the country with purpose and direction during its transition to democracy and after the Asian Financial Crisis. President Habibie was steadfast in his service to his country and in his efforts to improve the lives of all Indonesians.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow.

Yours sincerely,

HALIMAH YACOB

Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie, son of former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

12 September 2019

Dear Bapak Ilham,

Ho Ching and I offer our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your beloved father, former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie.

President Habibie led Indonesia in a difficult transition during reformasi. It was a crucial turning point for Indonesia. He worked hard to stabilise the country in the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. He also pushed for greater regional autonomy and decentralisation in Indonesia, with a view to uniting and improving the lives of all Indonesians. 

President Habibie was a scientist at heart. His passion for engineering and technology was evident when I visited the Bandung factory of Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusatura (IPTN), now known as Dirgantara Indonesia, in 1987. It was an impressive facility, and President Habibie’s pride and joy. He must surely be pleased with the significant strides that Indonesia has since made in growing its technology sector and the digital economy.

President Habibie was also instrumental in developing Batam, Bintan and Karimun as a special economic zone. Singapore worked closely with him and a few other Indonesian ministers on this project. I remember participating in the ground breaking ceremony of Batam Industrial Park – a joint Indonesia-Singapore private sector venture – with him in 1990. We met many times to discuss how Singapore and Indonesia could cooperate and complement each other to bring enduring benefit to our peoples. We are permanent neighbours and friends, and our futures are intertwined.

In this moment of grief, we wish you and your family comfort and healing.

With my deepest sympathies,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie

Republic of Indonesia

Letter from Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean to Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie, son of former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

12 September 2019

Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie

Republic of Indonesia

Dear Bapak Ilham,

I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies on the passing of your beloved father, former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie.

I remember calling on President Habibie in 1998, during a difficult period for Indonesia both politically and economically, in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis. I also met him several times prior to that when he was State Minister for Research and Technology.

He will be remembered for his love for his country, passion for aircraft engineering, and firm belief in public service.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief.

Yours sincerely,

TEO CHEE HEAN

Letter from Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie, son of former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

12 September 2019

Mr Ilham Akbar Habibie

Republic of Indonesia

Dear Pak Ilham

It was with sadness that I learned of former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie’s passing.

Your father was my counterpart when I was Prime Minister. In our interactions, his love for Indonesia and dedication to his country left an indelible impression on me. President Habibie led Indonesia with fortitude during a time of daunting political and economic challenges. He also worked tirelessly to advance Indonesia’s development and develop Indonesia’s industries. His passing is a loss to the people of Indonesia.

My deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family.

Yours sincerely

GOH CHOK TONG

Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi

12 September 2019

Her Excellency Retno Marsudi

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Indonesia

Dear Ibu Retno

I was saddened to learn of the passing of former President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie.

President Habibie led Indonesia during the turbulent years of its political and economic transition in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis. His efforts laid the ground for Indonesia to become the successful democracy and vibrant economy that it is today. President Habibie was also instrumental in bringing about regional autonomy and decentralisation for the good of all Indonesians. His contributions to Indonesia will not be forgotten.

Please accept my deepest condolences during this time of grief and sorrow.

Yours sincerely,

DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN