Jakarta – Former home affairs minister Rudini, who died Saturday at age 76, was known as a rare New Order politician of integrity, evident in his willingness to speak out about bureaucratic ills.
The soft-spoken, diminutive former army general was one of the few former Soeharto era ministers spared the hail of recriminations following the end of the administration in 1998.
In recognition of his record as the New Order's "Mr. Clean", he was appointed chief of the General Elections Commission in 1999. He carried off the tough task of preparing the first democratic elections in the reform era.
While other New Order politicians fell in line and gave the standard administration responses, Rudini would often discuss issues of corrupt officials and the shoddy bureaucracy.
As a minister, he initiated the establishment of the Institute of Public Administration (STPDN) in Jatinangor, West Java. Established as a highly disciplined institution by the former Army chief of staff, the school's reputation has been damaged in recent years by cases of hazing.
Rudini was admitted to Pondok Indah Hospital on Saturday for dialysis but suffered a heart attack at 11:15 p.m. One of his daughters, Dina, confirmed he had the coronary while receiving dialysis treatment.
He was buried Sunday at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta. Born in Malang, East Java, on Dec. 15, 1929, he is survived by two wives and five children.
Army chief of staff Gen. Djoko Santoso led the military burial, with mourners including Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, former president Abdurrahman Wahid, former Vice President Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno, Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni and human rights activist/lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Kristiani Herawati paid their last respects Sunday at Rudini's home.
Susilo, who is also from an Army background, said Rudini was an outstanding example of a soldier who led the Army with professionalism, discipline and responsibility.
"He set a great example not only in the leadership of the military but also in leading the nation," the President said.
Others paying their respects were Indonesian Red Cross chairman Mar'ie Muhammad, Home Affairs Minister M. Ma'ruf, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and former State Intelligence Agency chief AM Hendropriyono.