JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia lost BRA Mooryati Soedibyo who died in Jakarta, Wednesday (24/4/2024) early morning, at the age of 96 years. Mooryati is known as a strong woman who plays a big role in maintaining, shaping and promoting the beauty values of Indonesian women which are not only seen from the physical aspect.
The body of the founder of PT Mustika Ratu and the founder of the Miss Indonesia election event was laid to rest at the funeral home on Jalan Ki Mangunsarkoro, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Wednesday afternoon. The funeral home was full of mourners from a number of circles, from film stars, businessmen, Miss Indonesia, to current and former state officials. This shows the breadth of Mooryati Soedibyo’s social circle.
President Joko Widodo came to pay his respects and offer prayers for the deceased at around 11:40 AM. The President was accompanied by State Secretary Pratikno and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and also met with the family of the deceased.
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From among the business community, there were mourners present, including the Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsjad Rasjid, and national entrepreneur Garibaldi “Boy” Thohir. Meanwhile, among the film stars and public figures who came to mourn were Christine Hakim, Puteri Indonesia 2004 Artika Sari Devi with her husband Baim, and Puteri Indonesia 2001 Angelina Sondakh.
The body of Mooryati was buried at the Mustika Ratu Traditional Medicine Nursery Park in Tapos Village, Ciawi, West Java, on Wednesday afternoon. Mooryati’s grave is located next to her husband’s grave, Soedibyo Purbo Hadiningrat, who passed away in 1998. The body was released and buried in a military manner.
The deceased was a recipient of the Mahaputra Adipradana star during the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. In addition, during the independence war, Mooryati also fought by volunteering for the Indonesian Red Cross.
Mooryati’s eldest son, Djoko Ramiadji, handed over the body to General (Ret.) Wiranto, who is currently Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council.
Many roles
Mooryati is remembered as a tough woman who worked in several fields, ranging from herbal and cosmetic industries, body treatments, education, Puteri Indonesia beauty pageant, to serving as the Vice Chairman of MPR from 2004-2009. Her role is recognized by many parties. Senior actress Christine Hakim, for example, considers that the late Mooryati had a significant role in shaping, maintaining, and promoting Indonesia’s unique beauty through the herbal, beauty, and healthcare industries.
“We must understand, appreciate, and preserve that. Do not let us replace the values of beauty of Indonesian women with foreign values that only see perfection from the outside,” he said.
General Chairperson of the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (Apindo) Shinta Kamdani admitted that Mooryati had succeeded in bringing, even making, Indonesia’s heritage to the next level, by producing beauty and health products that were successfully marketed not only in Indonesia, but also abroad. “Of course this is not a simple achievement. “Moreover, in strengthening the branding of Indonesian industry in international eyes,” he said.
Recognition of Mooryati’s role is also marked by the numerous awards she has received, including the Adipradana Mahaputra Star in 2009 and the Upakarti award in 1989. Most recently, when she was lying sick at MMC Hospital in Jakarta in 2024, Mooryati received an award from the Kingdom of Thailand.