Prabowo pays respects to former Kupang Archbishop

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto spoke highly of the late Monsignor Petrus Turang, the former Archbishop of Kupang, who passed away on Friday morning, praising him for his lifelong dedication to fighting for the interests of ordinary citizens.

"He was a good man who was attuned to thinking positively and working for ordinary people. That is what I remember about him," he told the media at the Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta.

The President made the statement after paying his final respects to the Catholic figure at the cathedral, accompanied by Cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

"I came to pay my tribute because I had a good relationship with Monsignor Turang. We frequently met and shared a family lineage," he said.

Although he did not provide details, the head of state informed that his late mother, Dora Marie Sigar, and the former archbishop were related. Both were of Minahasa descent and from North Sulawesi province.

"As a human being, I paid my respects. I have also expressed my condolences to his family," he said.

Arriving at 3:38 p.m. local time, Prabowo spent about 10 minutes inside the house of worship before stepping out to speak with the press.

Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by Jakarta Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo, who escorted him back to his vehicle after the condolence visit.

Earlier, the Archdiocese of Kupang announced that Monsignor Turang had breathed his last at 6:02 a.m. on Friday after undergoing intensive treatment at Pondok Indah Hospital in South Jakarta.

Monsignor Turang's body will be transported to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday (April 5, 2025), where it will be placed at a local cathedral before his burial on Tuesday (April 8).