President Prabowo Subianto pays condolences to the late Major General TNI (ret.) DR. (HC) H. Eddie Mardjoeki Nalapraya bin H. Mohammad Soetarman who passes away on Tuesday morning (5/13). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
President Prabowo Subianto Tuesday (05/13) paid his respect to the late Major General TNI (ret.) DR. (HC) H. Eddie Mardjoeki Nalapraya bin H. Mohammad Soetarman who passed away that morning.
The President visited the Padepokan Pencak Silat of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta, where the body was laid in repose, to personally convey his condolences to the bereaved family.
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, on behalf of the entire Indonesian and international pencak silat community, and on my own behalf, I would like to express my condolences for the passing of Major General TNI (ret.) Eddie Mardjoeki Nalapraya,” he said in his remarks.
For the record, Eddie Nalapraya passed away at Pondok Indah Hospital, Jakarta, at 09.50 a.m. local time.
Eddie was born in Jakarta on June 6, 1931 and the President recalled the late general as a freedom fighter who rose through the ranks from the lowest levels to become a general. The late general also made profound contributions to preserving and nurturing pencak silat as part of Indonesia’s cultural legacy.
“He began his career from the bottom as a soldier to the general level. And for most of his life, apart from his devotion to the country and nation as a member of the Indonesian National Military, he also played a very big role in fostering the Indonesian pencak silat,” said the President.
The Head of State also emphasized that pencak silat is not just a martial art, but also a vital element in building the nation’s character and spirit of patriotism.
The deceased, he said, was a symbol of that spirit.
“He often traveled around the world, around the country. So, if asked who is the General Chairman of IPSI (Indonesian Pencak Silat Association), the answer is Eddie Nalapraya. Then, if I am asked, so who are you, Pak Prabowo? I replace him,” said the President, greeted with emotion by the audience.
In addition to serving as the General Chairman of IPSI, Eddie also served as Deputy Governor of Jakarta for the 1984-1987 period.
In recognition of his lifetime of service, the late Eddie was also awarded the Bintang Mahaputera, one of the nation’s highest honors.
“We must honor a fighter, a leader who led by example—someone who always placed love for the motherland above all else, right up to his last breath. I believe he was a true patriot,” the President concluded.
Following the ceremony at the Padepokan Pencak Silat TMII, the late general is scheduled to be laid to rest with military honors at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/EP)
