Boediardjo in coma, suffering prostate cancer

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)