Former information minister dies<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Former minister of information Vice Air Marshal
\n(ret.) Boediardjo died shortly after midnight yesterday while in
\na coma at the state-owned Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital.<\/p>\n
Boediardjo was information minister from 1968 to 1973 and had
\nundergone intensive medical treatment for prostate cancer since
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
He was 75 years old. He is survived by his wife and six
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
His body was flown to Central Java for burial in a military
\nprocession led by former Air Force chief of staff Air Marshal
\n(ret.) Rilo Pambudi. He was buried at a family cemetery in Tingal
\nvillage near the eighth century Buddhist temple of Borobudur,
\nMagelang.<\/p>\n
Antara reported from Magelang that two other former Air Force
\nchiefs of staff, Vice Air Marshal (ret.) Sukardi and Vice Air
\nMarshal (ret.) Oetomo, also attended the funeral.<\/p>\n
Boediardjo lapsed into a coma on Friday after surgery and
\nnever regained consciousness.<\/p>\n
One of Boediardjo's children, Iwan Wiwoho, said yesterday his
\nfather had been admitted to a hospital five or six times in the
\npast year.<\/p>\n
Cancer also killed three of Boediardjo's nine brothers and
\nsisters, a relative said.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto and several cabinet ministers, former
\nministers, senior officials and cultural promoters, paid their
\nlast tribute to Boediardjo and expressed their deepest
\ncondolences at Boediardjo's home on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The VIPs included former vice presidents Umar Wirahadikusumah
\nand Soedharmono, Minister of Information Harmoko, Coordinating
\nMinister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, Minister of Investment
\nSanyoto Sastrowardoyo, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi
\nTaher, Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Suweno and
\nJakarta Governor Soerjadi Sudirdja.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie and
\nformer Minister of Food Bustanil Arifin were among VIPs who saw
\noff Boediardjo's remains at the Halim Perdanakusuma air base in
\nEast Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"He was a sincere man who dedicated all his life to the
\ncountry," Bustanil said. "I was impressed with his leadership
\nwhen he held the top post in the Ministry of Information."<\/p>\n
Titiek Puspa, a renowned singer and relative of Boediardjo,
\nsaid Boediardjo photographed her when she visited him a few
\nmonths ago.<\/p>\n
"He gave no trace of sadness despite his illness that time."
\nshe said. "He's a great photographer whose pictures always move
\nme."<\/p>\n
Boediardjo is known for his interest in Indonesian culture,
\nphotography, orchids and Javanese leather puppets.<\/p>\n
A close confidante of Soeharto in his early tenure, Boediardjo
\nchaired PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur and Prambanan, a state-
\nowned company dealing with the restoration of Indonesia's two
\nmost famous temples, between 1979 and 1985. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/former-information-minister-dies-1447893297",
"image": ""
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