Senior Diplomat Hasjim Djalal Passes Away at 90

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Hasjim Djalal, a senior diplomat and expert in international maritime law from Indonesia, passed away at the age of 90 in Jakarta on Sunday (1/12) at 16:40 WIB.

The sad news was announced by Dino Patti Djalal, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Indonesia and the late diplomat’s son, via social media X on the same day.

"Prof. Dr. Hasjim Djalal passed away today at 16:40 WIB. He was a diplomat who fought for the vision of the archipelago," Dino stated.

He also requested prayers for the deceased to find a place of peace with Allah SWT and for his contributions to Indonesia to be remembered fondly.

In a separate statement, Hasjim Djalal’s family shared that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, and close relatives. The family also expressed their gratitude for all the attention, friendship, and prayers given to him over the years.

The body of Hasjim Djalal is laid to rest at the family’s residence on Jalan Taman Cilandak III, South Jakarta, and his burial is scheduled for Monday (January 13).

Born in 1934, Hasjim Djalal had a distinguished career as an Indonesian diplomat. He served as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United Nations (1981–1983), Canada (1983–1985), and Germany (1990–1993).

He was also known as a key figure in the formulation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982.

According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Hasjim Djalal, along with then-Foreign Minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, fought for the recognition of the archipelagic state concept and the vision of the archipelago, as mandated by the Declaration of Juanda, to be acknowledged by the international community.