Boediardjo in coma, suffering prostate cancer

JAKARTA (JP): Boediardjo, Indonesia's information minister from 1968 to 1973 being treated for prostate cancer in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, lapsed into a coma yesterday, his relatives said.

The 75-year-old former Air Vice-Marshal, who was President Soeharto's confidante in the latter's early years in power, was admitted to the hospital Tuesday.

His eldest son, Dandung Boediardjo, told The Jakarta Post that all his relatives had been prepared to accept the worse.

Dandung said his father's prostate cancer was diagnosed 12 years ago, when a doctor told him that his life expectancy was be less than three months.

"I think only a miracle could heal my father," he said.

Boediardjo, an admirer of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, held the posts of ambassador to the Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 1965 to 1968 then to Spain from 1976 to 1979.

Boedihardjo is also known for his keen interest in culture, photography, orchids, and Javanese puppets (wayang).

He was also actively involved in the restoration of the famous Borobudur and Prambanan temples. He used to be chairman of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur dan Prambanan.

When celebrating his 75th birthday on Nov. 16, he launched an autobiography titled "Siapa Sudi Saya Dongengi" (Who Will Listen to My Tales?). (12/aan)