Former industry and trade minister Tunky Ariwibowo passes away

Former minister of industry and trade Tunky Ariwibowo succumbed to lung disease on Sunday morning in a Singapore hospital. He was 65.

Born in Malang, East Java, in 1936, Tunky served former president Soeharto as minister of industry and trade from 1995 to 1998.

He began his career at the ministry of industry in 1960, and 15 years later became president director of state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel.

His ability to turn around the loss-making Krakatau Steel helped him rise to become the minister of industry and trade.

Tunky had been battling lung disease for the past three or four months, said Marsidi, an uncle of Tunky, as quoted by Antara.

According to Marsidi, Tunky was being treated at the University Hospital in Singapore.

"After he was brought there (to the hospital), three to four days later his condition became critical until God called him this morning," he said,

Tunky will be buried on Monday morning. He is survived by his wife and three children. - JP