UID Mourns over the Passings of Two of Its Leadership Members

It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our most distinguished trustee Ali Alatas.  Mr. Ali Alatas, or Pak Ali as we affectionately call him, died today, 11 December, 2008, at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore at the age of 76.  He is survived by his wife and three children.
 
Pak Ali was involved with and supported UID from its conception back in 2002.  In addition to giving us advice and representing us through his wide and high-level contacts, he always tried to come to meetings of our Board of Trustee and other events, despite his overwhelming schedule.  So, UID is indebted to him for all that he had given us.
 
But, not only did Pak Ali give to UID, he also gave to Indonesia, his motherland, and contributed a great deal to world peace.  Simply put, he was one of the best diplomats Indonesia and the world have ever had.  He was Indonesia's foreign minister from 1988 to 1999.  During his career, Pak Ali also served as Indonesia's ambassador to the United Nations (UN), chaired and participated in many international forums and peace negotiations.  Most recently, acted as an adviser to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and as a U.N. special envoy to Myanmar to push for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
Indeed, Indonesia just lost one of her finest sons, and the world did one of its best peace-makers.
 
UID also recently lost a member of its Oversight Committee, Mr. Arie Yandi Taswar.  No matter how busy he was, Pak Arie, like Pak Ali, always tried to make time for UID.  He came regularly to meetings of the Oversight Committee and lent his support whenever we needed it. 
 
We will miss both Pak Ali and Pak Arie dearly.