REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By Bustanuddin

JAKARTA -- A total of 13 eminent figures, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, received the "Antara" Achievement Award as a token of appreciation for their important roles and achievements in 2013.

The Indonesian National News Agency "Antara" bestowed the awards on 13 figures from across the country for their notable achievements this year.

Antara presented a special "Antara" Achievement Award (AAA) 2013 to the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for promoting freedom of expression and ensuring transparency.

"The recipients of the awards are select figures who have motivated and inspired the general public. Their contribution to the nation's progress has made us proud at the international level," Antara President Director Syaiful Hadi stated at a function marking the 76th anniversary of the news agency here on Wednesday.

In addition to the president, the awards called "Antara Achievement Award" 2013, were bestowed on the U-19 national soccer team coach Indra Sjafri, the U-19 national soccer team, Chief of the All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI)'s executive board Gita Wirjawan, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, and Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharani.

The other recipients are CEO APEC Summit 2013 Wishnu Wardhana, President Director of PT Toyota Astra Motor Johnny Darmawan, Deputy Chief of APEC 2013's national committee Chairul Tanjung, President Director of PT Gobel International Rachmat Gobel, and President Director of state-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek Elvyn G Masassya.

Meanwhile, Akhmad Kusaeni, director of Antara's editorial department, stated that the awards were a manifestation of the news agency's efforts to honor the country's most influential figures in 2013.

The award recipients played a great role in strengthening nationalism through their respective achievements, he remarked.

One of the award recipients, Indra Sjafri (50 years), the U-19 national soccer team coach, succeeded in transforming the national football team and brought glory to the nation on the international stage, particularly when the Indonesian soccer team, Timnas, defeated the South Korean club 3-2 (1-1) at the qualification final group G of AFC Cup U-19 held in Jakarta's Bung Karno main stadium, in October this year.

With this victory, the Indonesian squad automatically qualified for the finals of the AFC U-19 Cup to be held in Myanmar, in 2014, by having earned nine points in three matches.

Of note, the Timnas Captain Evan Dimas scored three goals in the match at the 30th, 49th, and 85th minute. The Timnas gained victory after a period of 22 years.

Indra Sjafri, former player of PSP Padang, one of soccer teams in West Sumatra province, worked hard in selecting and training young players in various regions.

By forming a good junior soccer team and defeating a much-stronger South Korea team, he has brought glory to Indonesian football at both the international and Asian level.

Gita Wirjawan, chief of the All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI)'s executive board, concurrently Trade Minister, has successfully managed the country's badminton organization following his election in September 2012.

Under his leadership in the PBSI, the country's mixed doubles team Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir and men's doubles team Hendra Setiawan/Muhammad Ahsan became world champions 2013 in Guangzhou, China.

In the meantime, Dahlan Iskan, state-owned enterprises minister, who also received the award, was one of the country's press barons.

At the Antara's anniversary celebrations, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharani, was the only female figure to be awarded the "Antara" Achievement Award.

Tri Rismaharani is not only the first female mayor in Surabaya, but has also successfully managed to regain the Adipura trophy, thus indicating her government's highest achievement of maintaining cleanliness of the metropolitan city in the country.

Next recipient of the "Antara" Achievement Award, Wishnu Wardhana, was the first Indonesian to become the chairman of the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2013 summit in Bali. He is concurrently the chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council/ABAC.

As the President Director of PT Indika Energy Tbk, Wishnu sought support from various leaders of the APEC member countries to support future growth, build business resilience, and improve connectivity in APEC.

Apart from that, another recipient of the award Chairul Tanjung, is an important figure in making the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2013 summit a success.

Chairul Tanjung, deputy chairman of the APEC summit, which took place in Bali from October 1 to 8, led the endeavor to make the APEC summit 2013 as the largest international event ever organized in Indonesia. The 2013 summit was even larger than the APEC summit in Bogor, in 1994.

The conglomerate and CEO of CT Corp, who is concurrently chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), has given his valuable inputs to drive Indonesia's economic growth. In addition, he also consistently helps to develop Indonesia from businesses.

Johnny Darmawan, president director of PT Toyota Astra Motor, who also won the "Antara" Achievement Award, is the leader of multinational automotive company in the world, PT Toyota Astra Motor.

According to the Economic News Magazine, Darmawan was named Best of the Best CEO 2011 for his ability to lead the automotive industry.

Rachmat Gobel, chairman of the Indonesian-Japanese friendship association, tried to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, economy, and education.

In addition, Elvyn G Masassya, president director of the state-owned insurance company PT Jamsostek, also won the Achievement award.

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