Hadi Utomo, the Democratic Party chairman from 2005 to 2010, passed away in Jakarta on Sunday. He died at the age of 71.

The former House of Representatives member would be buried at the Pujo Utaman family cemetery in Klepu, Ungaran, Semarang regency, Central Java.

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Ani Yudhoyono paid their final respects at Hadi’s residence in Condet, East Jakarta, on Sunday morning. They were accompanied by their sons, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who is running for Jakarta governor, and Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono.

Hadi was born in Semarang, Central Java, on Aug. 15, 1945. The retired military colonel was an alumni of the Military Academy (Akabri) class of 1970, senior to Yudhoyono who graduated in 1973.

Hatta Rajasa, former coordinating economic minister under the Yudhoyono administration, said he was acquainted with Hadi as they were both active in politics during the same era.

“We both spent quite a long time in politics,” said Hatta when he paid his final respects to the late inaugural chairman of the Dems at the latter’s house.

Hatta said Hadi was really a kind person who had paid close attention to the development of democracy in Indonesia. Despite his military background, Hatta said, Hadi was highly interested in the country’s democratic development.

It was no surprise that under Hadi’s leadership, the Dems became a party with high electability.

“It can be said he [Hadi] had contributed to the success of the Democratic Party becoming the number one political party in Indonesia [during previous administrations],” said Hatta. (ebf)

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