Zakharov Anton

Bintang Jasa – The Indonesian Star of Service

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2020, №3(48), 230-241

 
Annotation: The award system of Indonesia reflects its political development. The first Order of Indonesia—the Guerilla Star (Bintang Gerilya)—was instituted in 1949, to praise the participants of the anti-colonial struggle for Inde-pendence. Ten years later, the award system of Indonesia included several orders—the Star of the Republic of Indonesia (Bintang Republik Indonesia), the Star of Mahaputera (Bintang Mahaputera), the Sacred Star (Bintang Sakti), the Military Distinguished Service Star (Bintang Dharma), the Guerilla Star, and the Garuda Star (Bintang Garuda). At least four of them were essentially military whereas the Star of the Republic of Indonesia and the Star of Mahaputera may have been bestowed to the army commanders. The connection of the award system with the rise of the Indonesian Army seems obvious. But the state apparatus of Indonesia included many officials who also needed visible signs of recognition. In 1963, President Sukarno instituted a new Order—the Bintang Jasa, or the Star of Service. It serves as a typical award for state officials, politicians and other Indonesian citizens as well as for foreign diplomats whose service to the Indonesian State is considered valuable.

Keywords: Indonesia, awards, decorations, government, officials, diplomats, Bintang Jasa, service