Jakarta (ANTARA) - Hasjim Djalal, Indonesia's veteran diplomat and international maritime law expert, regarded as one of the architects of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), passed away on Sunday at the age of 90.The news of his passing was announced by his son, Dino Patti Djalal, a diplomat and former deputy foreign minister, through social media.
"Prof. Dr. Hasjim Djalal breathed his last at 4:40 p.m. Jakarta time. He was a fighter diplomat who championed the 'Nusantara Outlook,'" Dino stated, referring to Indonesia's national geopolitical stance.
"I hope his contributions to the Unitary State of Indonesia will be remembered fondly. Amen," he added.
In a separate statement, the Djalal family mentioned that the late diplomat passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and relatives. The family also expressed their gratitude for the friendship, thoughts, and prayers extended to Hasjim Djalal throughout his life.
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Hasjim Djalal will be laid to rest at the family home in South Jakarta before the burial procession on Monday (Jan. 13) afternoon, according to the family statement. Born in 1934, Hasjim Djalal was a senior diplomat who served as Indonesia's envoy to the UN from 1981 to 1983, ambassador to Canada from 1983 to 1985, and ambassador to Germany from 1990 to 1993.
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He was instrumental in the drafting of UNCLOS, adopted in 1982, and its subsequent implementation. He also contributed to various maritime initiatives, both nationally and internationally. According to the Marine and Fisheries Ministry, Hasjim Djalal, alongside then-Foreign Minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, advocated for international recognition of the "archipelagic state" concept and the "Nusantara Outlook," which defines Indonesian islands and the seas between them as an indivisible part of the nation's territory.