Jakarta. Vice President Jusuf Kalla attended a bestowal ceremony of “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star” from the government of Japan to Mr Sofjan Wanandi, today at the Japanese ambassador’s residence at Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
The award is given for Mr Wanandi is seen having great contribution to the good relationship between Indonesia and Japan. At the event, the Vice President congratulated Mr Wanandi, who is also one of his expert staff at the Office of the Vice President, and appreciated the Japanese government for the award.
“The government of Indonesia and I should be a bit ashamed as Japan is ahead of us in granting such an award to one of our best men,” said Mr Kalla jokingly.
“As far as I know, not many Indonesians like Sofjan Wanandi who have continuously held a good relationship with the Japanese government for 40 years, from the Soeharto era up till now,” he added.
Mr Kalla also said that Mr Wanadi even offered voluntarily himself to be an adviser to the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia.
“That is why Mr Wanandi will be the first person to cry when the relationship of both countries deteriorates,” he said.
Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, adn Security Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Minister of Finance Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of Industry Saleh Husin, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Trade Thomas T Lembong, the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)’s chairman Franky Sibarani, and Head of Vice President’s Secretariat Mohamad Oemar also attended the ceremony.
