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B. J. Habibie Biography

B. J. Habibie

Trained as an aeronautical engineer, Habibie worked as a vice president and director for technology application at the German aeronatics concern Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm bfor several years before he was recalled to Indonesia to oversee the country's state-owned high-tech industries. He worked under President Suharto for 20 years, first as minister of state for research and technology where he oversaw the attempted development of an Indonesian aircraft industry, and later as vice president. Habibie's days as vice president were few, however, as the economic troubles that had been festering under Suharto's crony capitalism boiled over just 10 weeks after Habibie's appointment. In May 1998, Suharto resigned after 32 years as undisputed head of state, handing the reins over to Habibie. Habibie quickly removed from office the most egregious examples of Suharto's nepotism in an attempt to distinguish himself from his predecessor and win favor with the emerging opposition factions. In 1999 he lost a parliamentary vote of confidence and he withdrew from the presidential race.

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Former president B.J. Habibie was the best research and technology minister Indonesia ever had

Former President of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Principal Scientist, Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology

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Former Indonesian president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, who passed away on Wednesday in Jakarta at the age of 83, ushered in democratic reforms in his short period as president. But his longest-serving role was as minister of research and technology. There is no doubt the brilliant aircraft engineer was the best research minister Indonesia ever had.

Appointed minister of research and technology in 1978, Habibie had a clear strategy for how Indonesia should use science and technology to develop the nation. During his 20-year tenure as minister, he developed high-technology industries, such as aircraft manufacturing, supported science-driven biotechnology research (my area of work), sponsored thousands of young people for science fellowships abroad, and used his power to cut the stifling red tape that hampers scientific research.

He has inspired generations of Indonesians. Through his work, he changed many lives, including mine.

Biotechnology as a national priority

In 1990, I was leading a research lab on molecular biology at Monash University in Melbourne when a fax with a letterhead of Indonesia’s coat of arms, the mythical Garuda bird, came in. It was from Habibie. He asked me to return home to help develop research in biotechnology.

In those days it was becoming clear, with the advances in molecular biology such as the development of DNA sequencing and cloning, that biotechnology would be the basis of an industrial revolution in medicine, agriculture and many other things.

Habibie, who was developing Indonesia’s aircraft industries at the time, noticed the important scientific revolution that was happening in the field of molecular biology, one far from his own. This is a testament to his visionary thinking as the country’s minister of research and technology.

Read more: B.J. Habibie: Indonesia's president and brilliant engineer who pioneered the country's aircraft industry with passion

It was not an easy decision to return to Indonesia. I had been doing research in Australia for 20 years, producing groundbreaking findings on mitochondrial DNA mutations related to disease and ageing. I had Indonesian PhD students working at my lab in Melbourne, and I believed I could serve the country better through my work there.

Sitting in the minister’s office in Jakarta with all the models of aeroplanes on the table, he didn’t need me to tell him that biotechnology was the future. He understood it as much as I did.

I reminded him that the then defunct Research Laboratory for Pathology and Bacteriology, where Christiaan Eijkman worked on his Nobel Prize-winning findings on the relationship between vitamin B1 deficiency and beri-beri, was about to celebrate its 100-year anniversary.

I hadn’t finished my sentence suggesting reopening the institute, when he put his fist on the table and exclaimed: “That’s the way to do it. We should revive the institute!”

That immediate chemistry that we had and the challenge to reopen an institute that has a long historical legacy convinced me to return home. I led the institute for 22 years until 2014, and it has contributed to the development of science in the areas of human genetics, infectious diseases and genetic biodiversity.

The Eijkman Institute is only one of three biotechnology research centres he established. One that focused on agriculture was placed under the research centre at the Agriculture Ministry, and one that linked directly to industries was established under the Centre for Research, Science and Technology (Puspiptek).

Habibie’s support for biotechnology research spurred the opening of biotechnology courses in Indonesian universities.

He also established the Centre for Research, Science and Technology (Puspiptek), a science park that serves as a hub for scientific research. This visionary initiative inspired countries like Thailand and Malaysia to do the same, contributing to the development of science and research in the region.

Ahead of his time

Habibie was frequently misunderstood, but it was because he was too far ahead of his time in terms of his vision compared to the rest of Indonesia.

He was criticised when he sent young Indonesians, from high school graduates to postdoctoral researchers, on scientific fellowships abroad. Now, it’s common knowledge that exposure to international research will enrich the nation. But back during his time as minister of research, people questioned this program.

When we revived the Eijkman Institute, people also criticised naming the research centre after a Dutch scientist. But he understood that naming it after the Nobel-prize-winning scientist was important to send a signal to the world that Indonesia was determined to build on the legacy of Eijkman’s important work.

Habibie overcame his detractors by being consistent in his work to advance Indonesia’s research and technology sector. He was not afraid to cut red tape to allow research institutes that he established to develop without the bureaucratic hurdles that government agencies had to go through.

Inspiration for the young generation of scientists

As Indonesians receive the news of Habibie’s passing, homage for the beloved former president has flooded our social media timelines. I received one from Sudirman Nasir, a talented public health researcher from South Sulawesi, where Habibie also originated. In his message, Sudirman shared that as a child whenever an aeroplane flew over his small town, he and his friends would run and point to the aeroplane shouting that it’s Habibie’s plane.

Read more: As Indonesia marks 70 years of independence, young scientists look ahead to the 100th

Sudirman became one of the authors of the book Science 45: An Indonesian Science Agenda Towards a Century of Independence, produced by the Young Indonesia Academy of Science. Habibie hosted the launch of this book at his home in 2015. Sudirman wrote that, at the time, he could not believe his eyes seeing his idol in front of him. Such is the inspiration Habibie generates in others.

With limited resources but a clear vision, Habibie had dared to dream big and introduced innovative approaches to support the research sector. Now it’s up to us to keep his legacies alive.

The Indonesian Academy of Sciences supports The Conversation Indonesia as host partner.

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BJ Habibie: Indonesian leader whose short tenure was marked by a shift to greater democracy

He attempted to steer a path away from the dictatorship of his predecessor suharto, and set in train the liberation of timor-leste, article bookmarked.

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Though he was president of Indonesia for just 512 days, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, who has died aged 83, had an impact considered to be far out of proportion to the brevity of his tenure, marking as it did the beginning of a more liberal era in his country’s history with a move towards democracy after General Suharto ’s three-decade dictatorship.

BJ Habibie (as he was known) was born in Parepare Afdeling in the Dutch East Indies. His father, who died when he was 14, was an agriculturist and his mother came from an aristrocratic Javanese family. Habibie was the fourth of eight children.

Habibie travelled to the Netherlands to study aviation at the Delft University of Technology. However, the West New Guinea dispute, a conflict over territory between Indonesia and the Netherlands, interrupted his studies and he completed his degree at the RWTH Aachen University in Germany. He stayed on in Aachen as a research assistant while completing a doctorate.

Habibie was by now working for Waggonfabrik Talbot, designing train wagons, but he turned down the chance to progress in the rail industry to complete his dissertation in aerospace engineering and join Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm. There, he developed three eponymous theories in thermodynamics (the Habibie Factor), construction (the Habibie Theorem) and aerodynamics (the Habibie Method). He also worked on the development of the Airbus A300B, and was promoted to vice president in 1974.

That year, President Suharto, who saw the engineer as an important part of his drive to industrialise the nation, wooed Habibie back to Indonesia. Habibie began this new stage of his career at the state oil company Pertmamina but two years later was made CEO of Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio, the state-owned business that would become Indonesian Aerospace. And in 1978, he made a step into government as minister of research and technology. This was the beginning of more than 20 years continuous service as a member of the Indonesian cabinet. Simultaneously, he headed 10 state-owned industries, including arms and energy.

• Diet Eman: Dutch resistance fighter who saved many lives in WWII

Habibie knew how to handle Suharto’s vanities. He referred to his boss as “SGS” (Super Genius Suharto) and cultivated the favour of the president’s wider family. It looked as though Habibie was being rewarded for his loyalty when Suharto named him as his vice presidential running mate in 1998. However, having won the election, Suharto suddenly resigned, leaving Habibie the top job and all the accompanying political and economic mess. Few expected Habibie to stay long in the role. He admitted in his memoir: “The slightly more optimistic predicted that I would not last more than 100 days.”

Once in power, however, Habibie seemed set to do things differently. He vowed to tackle the corruption of his predecessor’s regime, he lifted restrictions on political parties and the media and, during a speech on National Day, apologised for human rights violations under Suharto (although a day earlier he had decorated Suharto’s wife and son).

Habibie also turned his attention to Timor-Leste . The former Portuguese colony had been illegally occupied by Indonesia since 1975. Now Habibie offered the territory a referendum on self-determination. When the resulting vote for independence was met with violence from pro-Indonesian militias, Habibie allowed the intervention of a UN peacekeeping force. He also ordered the release of Xanana Gusmao, the resistance leader who would become independent Timor-Leste’s first president.

Alas, Timorese independence did not improve Habibie’s popularity at home. He had inherited a terrible economy from Suharto, with soaring inflation and unemployment. Meanwhile, his promise to tackle corruption rang hollow as charges against Suharto were dropped and several of Habibie’s colleagues were named in a banking scandal. As the 1999 presidential elections approached and Habibie’s support dropped below 10 per cent, he withdrew from the race.

• Indonesia deploys 1000 soldiers and cuts of internet in Papua

Habibie spent much of his retirement in Germany. He wrote an account of his presidency entitled Decisive Moments and invested in a popular tourist resort, Batam Island. When his wife died in 2010, he published a book about their relationship in her honour. ( Habibie and Ainun was subsequently made into a film series.)

Whether the changes that began in Indonesia under Habibie can be attributed to his personal conviction or to external pressures is unclear, but there’s little doubt that Habibie was a better president than Suharto.

On a wreath for his late friend, Gusmao, the man Habibie made president of newly independent Timor-Leste, declared: “Timorese people will remember you forever.”

Habibie is survived by two sons.

BJ Habibie, former Indonesian president, born 25 June 1936, died 11 September 2019

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Habibie’s lasting legacy for Indonesia

In his brief time as president, BJ Habibie enacted economic and democratic reforms that endure to this day.

Bacharuddin Jusuf “BJ” Habibie, third president of the Republic of Indonesia, passed away on 11 September in Jakarta. After serving as vice president under Suharto, Habibie succeeded him when political and economic crisis forced the president of three decades to resign in May 1998.

Although it lasted only 17 months, Habibie’s presidency was transformational. Before entering politics, Habibie had been a prominent aviation engineer educated in Germany and the Netherlands. Serving in the research and technology ministry in the early days of Suharto’s New Order regime, Habibie was known more for his skill in aircraft building and other high-tech industries than for his political agenda.

But today he is widely credited with the democratisation of Indonesia after the Suharto era, overseeing Indonesia’s first democratic legislative elections in 1999, and broadening freedom of speech. His democratic principles also led him to allow East Timor, now known as Timor-Leste, to vote on a referendum for autonomous status within Indonesia or outright independence.

He laid a strong foundation for Indonesia to continue evolving into an advanced country. His thinking was way ahead his time, and made an invaluable contribution to even the current development challenges facing the country.

He kick-started reforms that helped the economy recover from the 1997 Asian financial crisis and put Indonesia on the path to becoming the biggest democracy in the world. The economic reforms he established are still in effect today.

Despite much scepticism towards his economic capability, Habibie successfully led Indonesia out of the shocks of economic turmoil caused by the Asian financial crisis. Habibie understood that by 1998 Indonesia’s economic problems had become a crisis of trust, and not just the fault of neighbouring countries. He saw winning back investor confidence as the most critical issue.

Immediately after taking office as President, Habibie took steps to resolve the banking sector problem through a restructuring strategy, first by merging four state-owned banks, which then gave birth to Bank Mandiri, one of the biggest banks in Indonesia. He also established an independent central bank by separating Bank Indonesia from the government, so that Bank Indonesia would no longer be governed or pressured by the executive.

With the aim of restoring investor confidence, Habibie established the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), the State Asset Management Unit, and the Monitoring and Settlement Agency for foreign debt issue. Habibie also enacted policies to strengthen the national economy, including the Monopolistic Practices and Unfair Competition Law , Consumer Protection Law , the Political Party Act , and the Regional Autonomy Law , which collectively brought back political and economic stability, resulting in an increased influx of foreign investments and strengthening of the local currency.

A year into Habibie’s presidency, Indonesia’s economic growth had slowly improved. The country experienced 13.1% negative growth in 1998 and only a year later the economy grew positively by 0.8%, a sign that the crisis was coming to an end.

Fiscal decentralisation – and the local democratisation it enabled – was among the Habibie administration’s most noteworthy achievements, a long-overdue initiative, given Indonesia’s diverse population, geographical complexity, and uneven economic development across provinces. The two laws on political and fiscal decentralisation Habibie enacted in May 1999 – which promoted government response to local concerns, increased accountability, and strengthened governance – entirely changed the relationship between central and regional government.

Habibie’s love for technology clearly informed his approach towards economic strategy. “Habibienomics” was based on the belief that the added value of technology would support economic growth. During his time as Minister of Research and Technology, Habibie demonstrated his forward thinking in adopting research and technology for industrial purposes,  and he aspired to build the quality of Indonesian human capital, envisioning the leap from an agrarian state to an industrialised country. Thus, he sent many young Indonesians overseas to study, and he initiated state-owned enterprises in advanced technology, such as aircraft, ships, communication equipment, and weaponry. It under the guidance of Habibie that Indonesia succeeded in manufacturing its own aircraft.

Years later, amid the rapid growth of globalisation, Habibie’s vision is still relevant. To survive, Indonesia needs to focus more on human capital, innovation, and productivity, as they fuel economic development. The country still lacks in innovation, especially in research and development activities, according to the Global Competitiveness Index 2018 – Indonesia spends less than 0.1% of GDP on research and development, ranking 112nd among 140 countries.

Current President Joko Widodo has set out the Indonesian Vision for his second term, promising to make the country a more productive and competitive nation by putting investment in human capital as the highest priority. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati states that one of the focuses in the 2020 fiscal policy is to increase the competitiveness and innovation of the Indonesian people to drive a balanced mix between domestic consumption, investments, and exports.

These initiatives are part of the tremendous legacy Habibie has left behind. He laid a strong foundation for Indonesia to continue evolving into an advanced country. His thinking was way ahead his time, and made an invaluable contribution to even the current development challenges facing the country. This short piece will not be able to sum up the whole dedication of President Habibie for Indonesia. He will be dearly missed. 

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BJ Habibie obituary

President of Indonesia in 1998-99 who oversaw a successful if turbulent transition to a greater degree of democracy

Bacharuddin Jusuf (BJ) Habibie, who has died aged 83, became president of Indonesia by default in 1998 when his patron Suharto could no longer cling on after three decades of dictatorial rule. Though Habibie’s tenure was a mere 512 days, he oversaw a successful if turbulent transition to some form of democracy – though to what extent he actively sought out that goal or was obliged to pursue it through his own weakness and the growing strength of popular protest remains in question.

When he came to power Habibie pledged to lift restrictions on political parties, to recognise “democratic aspirations” and to tackle the “corruption, collusion and nepotism” of the past. On National Day, 17 August 1998, he also apologised for widespread human rights violations under the Suharto regime, admitting that these had been committed by “individuals from the state apparatus”.

Yet he could not fully discard Suharto’s mantle: on the previous day he had presented the nation’s highest award to the dictator’s wife, Raden Ayu Siti Hartinah, and youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy Suharto), who were both tainted by corruption.

One of Habibie’s most important legacies was his intervention on East Timor (now Timor-Leste), the former Portuguese colony that had been illegally occupied by Indonesia under Suharto in 1975. Habibie initially offered East Timor the special status of “extensive autonomy”, then went further by granting its inhabitants a referendum on self-determination.

Their resounding vote for independence led to brutal suppression by pro-Indonesian militias, and though Habibie wavered during that crisis, he eventually consented to the intervention of a UN peacekeeping force, paving the way for East Timor’s independence.

“Too many people have lost their lives since the beginning of the unrest, lost their homes and security,” he said. “We have to stop the suffering and mourning immediately.” His stance on East Timor was put into effect by the release from jail of the resistance leader Xanana Gusmão , who became East Timor’s first president, and who bid a tearful farewell to Habibie on his death bed.

Indonesian public opinion, however, was not on the side of Timorese independence, and his moves in that direction did not enhance his popularity. A larger domestic grudge against Habibie came from his inability to deal with an inherited economic crisis that led food prices to soar and pushed millions into precarious informal employment. Habibie’s failure to tackle corruption also played a large part in his gradual loss of public and parliamentary support. Several of his associates and leading members of the ruling Golkar party were implicated in the Bank Bali scandal, in which large sums of money disappeared. There was more opposition when his attorney general announced that corruption charges against Suharto would be dropped for “lack of evidence”.

In the run-up to the 1999 presidential elections, a poll in the national Tempo magazine showed that only 7% would vote for Habibie. When Golkar voted him down a month before the elections he had no alternative but to withdraw. His presidential term had not lasted long, but nonetheless he had stayed in office for a greater period of time than many had expected. In his memoirs he observed that “the slightly more optimistic predicted that I would not last more than 100 days”.

Habibie was born in Parepare in the state of South Sulawesi, the fourth of eight children. His father, Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie, a government official of Sulawesi descent who promoted clove cultivation, died when he was only 12, and his mother, Tuti Marini Puspowardojo, was a Javanese noblewoman from the ancient sultanate of Yogyakarta.

A model plane enthusiast at a young age, Habibie graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology and continued his studies in Germany. After a doctorate from the Aachen Institute of Technology he joined the aircraft-maker Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , rising quickly up the management ladder to become vice-president and director of applied technology. In 1974 he was persuaded to return to Indonesia by Suharto, who had seized power in 1967 from the founding president Sukarno after fanning the flames of an anti-left pogrom in 1965-66 in which at least half a million were killed.

Suharto appointed Habibie minister of research and technology, in which role he promoted, not always effectively, investment in a large number of state-owned industries designated as “strategic”, including steel, arms, energy and aircraft manufacture. He deferred to Suharto’s rapacious family, and flattered the dictator by calling him “SGS” – short for Super Genius Suharto.

Early in 1998 Suharto, though faced with economic collapse , sought re-election for a seventh term, and appointed Habibie unexpectedly as his vice-presidential running mate. Suharto’s purpose in doing so became clear when, after victory but with continuing demonstrations against his presidency and a fall-off in support from politicians around him, he resigned shortly after the election, leaving Habibie to succeed him. It may have been a gesture of contempt as much as of confidence: Suharto was one of those who did not expect him to last long.

In retirement Habibie spent much of his time in Germany and wrote a memoir, Decisive Moments (2006), justifying his tenure as president. The Habibie family also invested heavily in Batam Island, across the water from Singapore and a popular tourist destination.

Habibie’s wife, Hasri Ainun (nee Besari), had known him since they were schoolmates. After her death in 2010, Habibie wrote a fond memoir of their life together, Habibie and Ainun, which was turned into a successful film of the same name, released in 2012.

In one popular scene Ainun, a doctor, reproaches him for not taking care of his health: “If you don’t look after your body properly, how are you supposed to look after 200 million people?” she asks.

Habibie did look after the people far better than had his malign patron and predecessor, but with the army still powerful behind the scenes Indonesia’s democratic transition remains incomplete to this day.

He is survived by his two sons, Ilham Akbar and Thareq Kemal.

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BJ Habibie, who oversaw Indonesia’s transition to democracy, dies

Habibie, was an engineer, oversaw Indonesia’s transition to democracy and the referendum on East Timor’s independence.

Indonesia ‘s former President B J Habibie, who came to power during the country’s turbulent transition to democracy after former strongman leader Suharto stepped down in 1998, has died, his son said on Wednesday evening.

Habibie, 83, had been suffering from heart problems and was in hospital, Thareq Kemal Habibie told Metro TV.

An engineer by training, Habibie succeeded Suharto as Indonesia’s third president only months after becoming his deputy, just as the country was rocked by spasms of rioting and economic upheaval triggered by the Asian financial crisis.

His time in power was marked by his decision to allow a referendum on independence for the people of the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, which had been annexed by Indonesia in the 1970s.

In January 1999, Habibie said East Timor could have independence if its people rejected autonomy within Indonesia. The East Timorese voted in favour of independence triggering a wave of violence. The country is now known as Timor-Leste.

Habibie was born in June 1936 in South Sulawesi and studied aviation and aerospace engineering in Germany and the Netherlands before returning home in the mid-1970s.

Suharto asked him to help industrialise the country.

He chaired the state-owned aviation company Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara and then served as minister of research and technology for 20 years.

President Joko Widodo, in a televised speech announcing Habibie’s death, described Habibie as a “world-class scientist and the father of technology in Indonesia”.

Habibie served for just 17 months as president – he withdrew from contention in the October 1999 election – and was succeeded by Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur.

Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to Habibie as “family”, recalling the Indonesian’s support during his years in prison.

“He was no ordinary politician,” Anwar wrote on his Facebook page. “BJ Habibie spoke from confidence as well as conscience.”

Habibie is survived by his two sons.

14 Mind-blowing Facts About B.J. Habibie

Written by Lucilia Haro

Modified & Updated: 09 May 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

B.J. Habibie is a name that holds great significance in the history of Indonesia. As the third President of the country, Habibie was a visionary leader who made remarkable contributions to not only the political landscape of Indonesia but also to the technological advancements of the nation. During his tenure from 1998 to 1999, he introduced numerous reforms and policies that shaped the future of Indonesia.

However, there is much more to B.J. Habibie than his political career. In this article, we will delve into 14 mind-blowing facts about B.J. Habibie, shedding light on his accomplishments, personal life, and the legacy he left behind. From his impressive academic background to his pivotal role in the development of the aerospace industry, Habibie’s life is a testament to perseverance, intelligence, and dedication. So, let’s embark on this fascinating journey to discover the incredible man behind the name.

Key Takeaways:

• B.J. Habibie, Indonesia’s 3rd President, was a visionary leader who promoted education, gender equality, and national industry, leaving a lasting impact on the country’s development and inspiring future generations.
• Known for his expertise in aerospace engineering, B.J. Habibie’s presidency marked a period of democratic transition, economic development, and global recognition, shaping Indonesia’s future and the global scientific community.

B.J. Habibie was the third President of Indonesia.

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, commonly known as B.J. Habibie, served as the President of Indonesia from 1998 to He was the first president of Indonesia who did not originate from the political or military elite.

Habibie was a brilliant aerospace engineer.

Before his political career, B.J. Habibie was renowned for his expertise in aerospace engineering. He graduated from the RWTH Aachen University in Germany and played a significant role in developing Indonesia’s aerospace industry.

He invented the “Habibie Factor”.

The “Habibie Factor” refers to his belief in empowering the people through science and technology. Habibie believed that by nurturing innovation and technological advancements, a nation can overcome its challenges and thrive in the modern world.

Habibie’s presidency marked a period of democratic transition.

After the resignation of President Suharto , Habibie took office and initiated political reforms that led to a more open and democratic Indonesia. He implemented electoral reforms and allowed for more political freedom and press freedom.

He played a crucial role in East Timor’s independence.

During his presidency, Habibie granted East Timor the right to choose its independence through a referendum. This decision ultimately led to the independence of East Timor from Indonesia in 2002.

Habibie was known for his strong support of education.

Throughout his career, B.J. Habibie emphasized the importance of education in driving economic growth and societal development. He believed in providing accessible education to all Indonesians, especially in the fields of science and technology.

He received numerous awards and honors.

Habibie was recognized for his contributions with various awards including the United Nations Development Programme’s Mahbub ul Haq Award and the ASEAN College of Engineering and Technology’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Habibie authored several books.

Aside from his scientific and political endeavors, Habibie also wrote several books. His works cover topics ranging from technology and engineering to his personal experiences in leadership and governance.

He was a firm believer in promoting national industry.

Habibie advocated for the development and promotion of Indonesian industries. He believed that a strong industrial base would not only boost the economy but also create jobs and reduce dependency on foreign imports.

Habibie’s economic policies focused on infrastructure development.

During his presidency, Habibie implemented policies aimed at improving Indonesia’s infrastructure, including transportation networks, telecommunications, and power generation. These initiatives laid the foundation for further economic growth.

He was a visionary leader.

B.J. Habibie was admired for his forward-thinking ideas and innovative vision for Indonesia. He strived to position Indonesia as a technologically advanced nation and worked towards achieving self-sufficiency in various industries.

Habibie was a strong advocate for gender equality.

Throughout his career, Habibie promoted gender equality and women’s empowerment. He encouraged women to pursue education and careers in the fields of science and technology and implemented policies to ensure equal opportunities for women in society.

He was a respected figure in the global scientific community.

Habibie’s contributions to aerospace engineering and his dedication to advancing science and technology earned him respect in the global scientific community. He was a member of several international scientific organizations and received honorary doctorates from reputable universities.

Habibie’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.

The impact of B.J. Habibie’s leadership and contributions can still be felt in Indonesia and beyond. His commitment to education, innovation, democracy, and national development serves as a guiding light for future leaders and aspiring engineers.

In conclusion, B.J. Habibie was not just an ordinary individual, but a truly remarkable and inspiring figure. His contributions to the world of science and technology, as well as his leadership in shaping Indonesia’s future, are nothing short of extraordinary. From his work in aviation engineering to his time as the President of Indonesia, he left an indelible mark on the world stage. B.J. Habibie’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations to strive for greatness, innovation, and progress.

1. Who was B.J. Habibie?

B.J. Habibie, short for Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, was an Indonesian statesman and aerospace engineer . He served as the President of Indonesia from 1998 to 1999.

2. What were B.J. Habibie’s major achievements?

B.J. Habibie’s major achievements include his significant contributions to aircraft and aeronautical engineering, particularly his work on the development of the Indonesian aircraft industry. He also played a crucial role in leading Indonesia through a period of democratic transition during his presidency.

3. How did B.J. Habibie impact Indonesia?

B.J. Habibie had a profound impact on Indonesia by fostering technological innovation and development, promoting education, and advocating for democracy and human rights. His policies contributed to the modernization and growth of Indonesia’s economy.

4. What is B.J. Habibie’s legacy?

B.J. Habibie’s legacy lies in his remarkable achievements in the fields of science, technology, and politics. He is remembered as a visionary leader who prioritized development, innovation, and the welfare of the Indonesian people.

5. How is B.J. Habibie remembered today?

B.J. Habibie is remembered as a national hero and a symbol of Indonesian pride. His legacy continues to inspire and serve as a reminder of the power of determination, knowledge, and visionary leadership.

B.J. Habibie's remarkable life story serves as an inspiration, showcasing his brilliance in engineering, leadership in Indonesia's democratic transition, and unwavering commitment to education and equality. His legacy extends beyond Indonesia, as he made significant contributions to the global scientific community and played a crucial role in East Timor's independence. Habibie's visionary approach to technology and its potential to transform lives continues to resonate today. Moreover, his dedication to promoting democracy and fostering a more inclusive society remains a guiding light for future generations.

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B.J. Habibie Dies at 83; Ushered in Democracy in Indonesia

Though he served as the country’s president for only 17 months, he played a crucial role in ending a harsh 32-year dictatorship.

By Richard C. Paddock

JAKARTA, Indonesia — B. J. Habibie , who as president of Indonesia ushered in an era of democracy that ended the brutal and corrupt rule of Suharto , whose 32-year dictatorship was one of the most brutal and corrupt of the 20th century, died on Wednesday at a hospital in Jakarta. He was 83.

His son Thareq Kemal Habibie said the cause was heart failure.

“Please allow me on behalf the Indonesian people, and the government, to convey our deep sorrow,” Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, said. “We know Mr. Habibie as a world-class scientist, the father of technology in Indonesia and the third president of the Republic of Indonesia.”

Mr. Habibie was working for the aerospace manufacturer Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm in Germany in 1974 when Suharto persuaded him to return to Indonesia and develop the country’s technology.

He held several posts before Suharto named him to his cabinet as minister of research and technology in 1978. Twenty years later, he appointed him vice president and his successor.

At the time, Indonesia was struggling to recover from the Asian economic crisis, and Suharto’s government was facing mounting opposition. Suharto stepped down barely two months later, and Mr. Habibie became president .

Though he was president for only 17 months, the shortest time in office of any Indonesian president, Mr. Habibie had a crucial role in laying the foundation for a democratic Indonesia.

He called the first free elections in a generation, released political prisoners, protected freedom of the press and women’s rights, reduced the role of the military in politics, and moved to decentralize the government.

He also paved the way for the province of East Timor, an island that was once a Portuguese colony, to become independent. The move was highly unpopular with Indonesians who did not want to see their country lose territory.

“It’s fair to say that Habibie proved the skeptics (like me) wrong,” Sidney Jones, director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict in Jakarta, said by email. “In his short tenure he managed to leave a stronger reformist legacy than any other post-Suharto president.”

Ms. Jones added, “On some issues he was swept along by popular pressure, but at heart he showed himself to be a genuine democrat.”

At the same time, Mr. Habibie was unable to break completely with Suharto, his mentor. To his own political detriment, Mr. Habibie halted an investigation into allegations that Suharto and members of his family had siphoned off vast amounts of wealth from the government.

In October 1999, days before an electoral assembly was scheduled to select a new president, Mr. Habibie withdrew his candidacy, recognizing that defeat was inevitable.

“I was satisfied by my term in office,” he t old reporters at the time . “I was given the opportunity to devote myself to this nation. I’m happy that democracy has started in Indonesia, and I hope this will continue whoever the new president is.” He was succeeded by Abdurrahman Wahid.

In rolling back the Suharto dictatorship, Mr. Habibie freed the East Timor independence leader, Xanana Gusmao, who had served seven years in prison. Mr. Gusmao became East Timor’s first president in 2002 and later its prime minister for seven years.

A video clip that circulated on the internet on Thursday showed Mr. Gusmao bidding an emotional farew ell to Mr. Habibie at his hospital bedside . On Aug. 30, the 20th anniversary of the vote that granted it independence, East Timor named a bridge after Mr. Habibie in Dili, the capital.

Bacharudin Jusuf Habibie was born on June 25, 1936, on the island of Sulawesi in Eastern Indonesia. He went to Europe in 1955 to attend university and spent most of the next two decades earning a degree in engineering and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in Germany and working in the aeronautics industry there.

He returned to Indonesia for three months in 1962 and reunited with and married his high school sweetheart, Hasri Ainun Besari, who returned to Germany with him. Their 48-year marriage became the subject of two popular movies in Indonesia. She died in 2010.

Mr. Habibie advised at least two of his successors as president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Mr. Joko. He also established the Habibie Center , an independent research institute dedicated to the modernization and democratization of Indonesians.

In addition to his son, Mr. Habibie is survived by another son, Ilham Akbar Habibie, and six grandchildren.

Richard C. Paddock reports on Southeast Asia and is based in Bangkok. He has worked as a foreign correspondent for more than a dozen years and reported from nearly 50 countries on five continents, including wartime Bosnia and Iraq. More about Richard C. Paddock

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Top 10 Interesting Facts about B. J Habibie

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1. Habibie was a brilliant engineer

Official state portrait of President B.J. Habibie of Indonesia Presidential Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia. Image by (Sekretariat Presiden Republik Indonesia) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kementerian Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia) – Wikimedia

2. He is the only Indonesia President to have had a technocratic background

Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie Datum. Image by Rob Bogaerts / Anefo – Wikimedia

3. Habibie is the shortest serving Vice President and President in Indonesia

4. Habibie was a reformist

BJ Habibie & her mother Tuti Marini. Image by National Library of Indonesia – Wikimedia

5. He was not a fan of Suharto’s dictatorship

Monument of Habibie. Image by MesinKetik – Wikimedia

6. Habibie let East Timor become independent

7. he protected suharto and his family from corruption investigations, 8. habibie’s 48-year marriage became the subject of two popular movies in indonesia.

Habibie, former President of Indonesia, with his wife, Ainun. Image by Office of the Vice President The Republic of Indonesia – Wikimedia

9. He was a major contributor to Indonesia’s aircraft industry

Patung B.J. Habibie. Image by Fiqhi Rizky – Wikimedia

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Biography of Bj Habibi

Posted by: choisiwon42 on: 17/02/2013

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Bacharuddin_Jusuf_Habibie_official_portrait-public-domain-from-wikimedia (Photo credit: stiksa)

Prof. DR (HC). Ing. Dr. Sc. Mult. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie or BJ Habibie is known as (73 years) is a man of Pare-Pare (South Sulawesi), born June 25, 1936. Habibie became President of the 3rd Indonesia for 1.4 years and two months as Vice President of the Republic to-7. Habibie is a “blaster” among the Javanese [mother] with Macassar / Pare-Pare [her father].

Small the days, Habibie has shown wit and high spirits on science and technology especially in Physics. During the six months he attended the Mechanical Engineering Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), and proceeded to Rhenisch Wesfalische Tehnische Hochscule – Germany in 1955. By financed by his mother, R.A. Tuti Marini Puspowardoyo, young Habibie spent 10 years to complete the study of S-1 to S-3 in Aachen, Germany.

Unlike the average Indonesian students who received scholarships abroad, lectures Habibie (especially S-1 and S-2) are financed directly by the mother who did business catering and indekost in Bandung after her husband left to go (father Habibie). Habibie, Business, Design and Construction of Aircraft in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. During the five-year study in Germany Habibie finally earned his diploma Dilpom-Ingenenieur or techniques (note: technical diploma in Germany is generally synchronized with the title Master/S2 in other countries) with summa cum laude.

Mr. Habibie continue the doctoral program after marrying his high school friend, Mrs. Hasri Ainun Besari in 1962. Together with his wife living in Germany, Habibie must work to pay tuition fees as well as the cost of their household. Habibie had an interest in Aircraft Design and Construction. In 1965, Habibie S-3 finish his studies and received an honorary Doctor Ingenieur (Doctor of Engineering) with performance index summa cum laude.

During a doctoral student, BJ Habibie, has started work to support his family and cost studies. After graduation, BJ Habibie, working in-Blohm Messerschmitt-Bölkow or MBB Hamburg (1965-1969 as Head of Research and Development on Aircraft Structure Analysis, and later served as Head of Methods and Technology Division in the commercial aircraft industry and the military in MBB (1969 – 1973). Top performance and kebriliannya, four years later, he was appointed as Vice President and Director of Technology at MBB Penasihast period from 1973 to 1978 and became Senior Director of technology to the Board of MBB (1978). He became the only Before entering the age of 40 years, Habibie was very brilliant career, especially in the design and construction of aircraft. Habibie became “jewel” in Germany and he had “honorable position,” both materially and intellectually by the Germans. While working at the MBB of Germany, Habibie contributed various research findings and a number of theories for science and technology in the field of Thermodynamics, Construction and Aerodynamics. Several theoretical formulations known in the world aircraft such as the “Habibie Factor”, “Habibie’s Theorem” and “Habibie Method”.

Habibie is Indonesia’s first president who has received many awards, especially in the fields of science and technology both from domestic and foreign. Services in the field of aircraft technology to deliver he received an honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Honoris Causa) from the world’s leading berbagaai University, among others, Cranfield Institute of Technology and Chungbuk University.

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Muhammad Taufik Mahmudi

Selasa, 20 mei 2014, biography bj. habibie.

B. J. Habibie

Early life [ edit ], studies and career in germany [ edit ], career in indonesia [ edit ], member of golkar [ edit ].

Vice presidency [ edit ]

Presidency [ edit ], east timor [ edit ], suharto's corruption charge [ edit ], the economy [ edit ], social issues [ edit ], education [ edit ], political reform [ edit ], end of presidency [ edit ], post-presidency [ edit ], family [ edit ], notes [ edit ], further reading [ edit ], external links [ edit ], tidak ada komentar:, posting komentar.