President conveys condolences over Hasan Tiro`s death

President conveys condolences over Hasan Tiro`s death
Thursday, June 3, 2010 21:59 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed sympahty and condolences over the death of Hasan Tiro, the founder of the defunct Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

"I heard the sad news about Bapak (Mr) Hasan Tiro`s death after an illness in Aceh this afternoon. So my deepest condolences and prayers go to him and his family," he said at a press conference at the presidential palace on Thursday evening.

The head of state said before Hasan Tiro died the government upon the request of his family and Acehnese figures had given him Indonesian citizenship, the document of which was directly extended by coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, Djoko Suyanto to his family as Hasan Tiro was unable to receive it personally because he was being treated at a hospital for his illness.

"The government has met his request and I have even asked the coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs to pass on the document to his family," he said.

Therefore, Hasan Tiro who passed away at 12.02pm on Thursday would be buried as an Indonesian citizen, marking the end of the conflict in Aceh and his return to the fold of the Republic of Indonesia.

Djoko Suyanto meanwhile said Tiro`s citizenship document was received by one of his nephews and Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf would represent the Indonesian government at his funeral.

Hasan Tiro was buried on Thursday evening at the family`s cemetary in Meureu village, Indrapuri, Aceh Besar.

Thousands of people attended the funeral including former GAM leaders.

Tiro`s grave is located beside that of his grandfather, Tgk Cik Di Tiro who is a national hero.

Hasan Tiro who was born in Pidie, on September 25, 1925, left for Sweden in 1976 and became a Swedish citizen. He returned to Aceh after the government and the GAM signed a peace deal in Helsinki, Finland, on August 15, 2005.(*)