TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Andi Mappetahang Fatwa, also known as AM Fatwa, passed away aged 78 today at MMC Hospital in Jakarta.
“[He] will be buried at Kalibata Heroes Cemetary at noon,” AM Fatwa’s daughter Dian Islamiati Fatwa said via a text message.
Fatwa was born in Bone, South Sulawesi in 1939. He was a politician, statesman with an extensive experience. He served as the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker for the 1999-2004 term and the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker for the 2004-2009 term.
The politician was known as a critic and icon of the fight against the Old and New Order eras. He was one of the signatories of the so-called Petisi 50. He spent 12 years in jail for demanding the establishment of a fact-finding team on the victims of Tanjungpriok massacre in 1984.
After serving his prison time, Fatwa heavily engaged in developing education by founding Yayasan Putera Fatahillah.
He was among the prominent figures who initiated the 1998 reform. AM Fatwa was also a co-founder of the National Mandate Party together with Amien Rais in 1999.
KODRAT SETIAWAN
