Leading NU figure dies of diabetes

SURABAYA: M. Abdullah Maksum, the chairman of noted Lirboyo Islamic boarding school in the East Java regency of Kediri and also one of the leaders of the Muslim organization Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) here, passed away at dawn on Tuesday.

He died of diabetes mellitus and gout, which had afflicted him for at least a decade. His remains were buried on the same day in the family cemetery in Kanigoro subdistrict in Kediri.

Maksum, who was the grandson of the founder of the famous Lirboyo school, was born on April 8, 1944. He is survived by two wives, Bakdiah and Komariyah, and one step son, Akhmad Muzadi, 10.

He promoted Pagar Nusa martial arts, and remained the chairman of the association until his death. He was also involved in a nationwide movement to hunt down the suspected members and sympathizers of the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in the 1960s. -- JP