REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hajriyanto Y Thohari has expressed his condolences over the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela, saying he was a symbol of world peace.
"Nelson Mandela was a symbol of world peace and an icon of the national reconciliation movement," Hajriyanto said at the parliament building here on Friday.
Mandela's steps to lead national reconciliation in South Africa, following the downfall of apartheid politics, inspired national reconciliation movements worldwide, he said.
Mandela emerged as a champion of reconciliation for his nation because he, himself, fell victim to the brutality of an extraordinary human rights crime, he said.
During the era of apartheid, he spent 27 years in jail and was deprived of his rights, he said.
When the apartheid regime collapsed following resistance led by Mandela, the Noble peace laureate became a symbol of victory for the people of South Africa, Hajriyanto noted.
"Nobody suffered more than Mandela did. He showed no resentment and even led national reconciliation," he said.
Hajriyanto said Mandela reconciled the people of South Africa, making him a champion of global reconciliation.
Indonesia should learn from Mandela on how to make national reconciliation, he said.
"As one of the members of the team formulating law on the commission of truth and reconciliation (KKR), of course, I have learned much from Mandela's struggle," he said.
Mandela died at the age of 95 on Thursday in South Africa.
His death was announced by South African President Jacob Zuma on television. Zuma said Mandela "had gone" peacefully.
Mandela, who was the first black president of South Africa, had been undergoing hospital treatment for a lung infection since September.
His health deteriorated after he suffered complications from a lung infection. He died in the presence of family members, said officials.
Mandela will be given a full state funeral, and the national flag will be flown at half-mast.
Mandela, a former boxer, had been suffering from lung problems over the past few years, after contracting tuberculosis during his time in prison.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner was jailed for 27 years before he was released in 1990. He led the African National Congress party through negotiations with the white minority government, which culminated in multi-racial general elections in 1994, which Mandela won.
He became president, but held the post for only one five- year term. After that, he actively campaigned for raising HIV/AIDS awareness, before withdrawing from public life in 2004.
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