We have lost an OPEC icon, an Indonesian patriot and a truly, great man.
To Mrs Ratih Dardo, Dr Subroto’s wife; to his family; friends and all who mourn his passing; on behalf of OPEC, I offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies.
As friends and family gather to pray for Dr Subroto following 40 days since his passing, OPEC shares your grief; for Dr Subroto was one of the most significant figures in the history of our Organization. This is a sad occasion but we also take the opportunity to thank the Almighty for the great gift of Dr Subroto’s life, his many contributions to our Organization’s betterment and the inspiring example he left for successive generations to come.
His was a life well-lived and he had a starring role in many historical moments for the oil industry, particularly during his tenure as Secretary General from 1 July 1988 to 30 June 1994.
Way ahead of his time, he was also a champion of OPEC and non-OPEC cooperation since the 1980s.
One can trace a ‘through line’ from the seeds of dialogue with non-OPEC countries that Dr Subroto planted to the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ signed on 10 December 2016.
On the 8th of September last year, the staff of the OPEC Secretariat were honoured to listen to Dr Subroto as he joined us for a virtual town hall meeting, just days before OPEC’s 62nd anniversary and his 99th birthday.
Many of the veterans who remain from when Dr Subroto was Secretary General provided their personal recollections of working with him. And what they said was a moving testimony to his decency, kindness and humanity.
Everybody who knew and worked with him spoke fondly of the ‘smiling SG.’ He was supportive and positive, knew how to nurture talent and bring the best out of people.
The measure of any person is how they treat others. Dr Subroto was exemplary in this regard, for he treated everyone with graciousness and kindness.
For our part at the OPEC Secretariat, we are resolved to honour his legacy and aspire to the high standards of excellence he set.
Allow me to conclude, by once again, extending our deepest condolences to all of you gathered for this event commemorating Dr Subroto’s life. Although he has passed, we all still feel the warmth of his kind smile and the memory of his rich life will guide us in the years to come.