Albert Hasibuan, Example for Successors

Albert Hasibuan is remembered not only as an advocate and politician, but also a figure who steadfastly fought for democracy and human rights.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO (WAK)

Albert Hasibuan

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A senior advocate who was also the founder of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Albert Hasibuan, passed away due to illness on Thursday (1/9/2022) at 11:28 a.m. Albert’s hard work across the world of law and politics where he never forgot to defend the marginalized is very worthy of making him a role model for future generations.

Albert passed away at the age of 83 at his residence in Jakarta. He is survived by his wife, Louise Walewangko Hasibuan, and three children Bara Khrisna Hasibuan, Vivekanada and Mirya Shanti, along with his three grandchildren. Albert, according to the plan, will be buried at the Tanah Kusir Public Cemetery in Jakarta on Friday (2/9).

Senior lawyer Luhut MP Pangaribuan remembered Albert as a complete package advocate. Not only was he an advocate, he was also a politician. “Complete because he cared about human rights and poverty. He was willing to make sacrifices for others according to the pro bono teachings in the standards of the advocate profession," Luhut said when contacted on Thursday.

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Albert, born 25 March, 1939, studied law at the Indonesian Christian University. He founded the Legal Aid Bureau in 1968. Three years later, he and advocate Adnan Buyung Nasution founded the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH).

Luhut felt Albert's alignment with human rights when he was the director of LBH Jakarta in the early 1990s. At that time, he received a threat. “Pak [Mr.] Albert came to provide support. I was a young advocate at that time. He did the same for the others," he said.

From Albert, Luhut learned the values of taking sides with marginalized people, such as the poor and the legally blind, by providing free legal aid.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO (WAK)

National figures (from left to right) Mochtar Pabottinggi, Franz Magnis-Suseno, Taufiequrahman Ruki, Albert Hasibuan, Bivitri Susanti, Emil Salim, Ismid Hadad, Atika Makarim, Mayling Oey-Gardiner, and Omi Komaria Nurcholis Madjid before speaking to media crew at Cemara 6 Gallery, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Friday (3/10/2019). They have met with President Joko Widodo to support and encourage President Joko Widodo to immediately issue a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law as a correction to the revision of the KPK Law.

In the course of his career, Albert became a member of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1972. He had also been a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the Karya Pembangunan (Development Work) Faction since 1977 for four consecutive terms. Then, he made his contribution as a member of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) for the 1993-2002 period.

Deputy chairman of Komnas HAM Amiruddin Al Rahab said Albert's service was great for Komnas HAM. His hard work had made Komnas HAM stand to this day. “Pak Albert was one of the best teachers. In 1997-2000, I often accompanied Pak Albert to conduct investigations in Papua,” he said.

During the reformation era, Albert cofounded the People's Mandate Council (Mara) which later became the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Crossing borders

Chairman of the Constitutional Court for the 2003-2008 period, Jimly Asshiddiqie, revealed that Albert was a prominent advocate who had contributed greatly besides Adnan Buyung Nasution. "His insight was as a true nationalist. he dared to cross boundaries and cultural barriers," said Jimly.

Albert replaced Jimly as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) in the second term of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration. He served from January 2012 to 2014.

Jimly recalled that Albert had many ideas and thoughts about the state. One of them was the idea that the Supreme Court should be given the authority to conduct judicial review. This idea was voiced by Albert long before the reformation period.

PAN condolences

PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan expressed his condolences for Albert's death. The deceased was judged as a champion of democracy and law. "An exemplary figure who fought for democracy, human rights and freedom," said Zulkifli.

In addition, Albert was also remembered as one of the founders of PAN who built a milestone for PAN's values of being inclusive, respecting diversity and humanity. "PAN will continue to maintain the party's sacred mission in its political struggle, as Pak Albert has fought for," he said.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.