NU leader Anwar Nurris dies at 56

JAKARTA (JP): M. Anwar Nurris, deputy secretary-general of the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) died from complications related to his asthma and heart problems at the Harapan Kita hospital here yesterday. He was 56.

His relatives said the senior leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, was rushed to hospital Wednesday complaining of respiratory problems.

Born in the East Java town of Jombang on April 24, 1941, Anwar is best remembered as a strong advocate of NU's historical decision to quit politics in 1984.

In that year, NU, once a powerful political organization, resolutely "returned" to its original mission as a socio- educational institution as intended by its founders in 1926.

Present at his funeral at Tanah Kusir public cemetery were PPP executives, including deputy chiefs Hamzah Haz and Yudo Paripurno as well as a number of NU leaders.

Anwar, who was active in religious activities, was NU secretary-general from 1984 to 1989.

Anwar is survived by his wife Siti Haniyah Madaniyah and five grown up children. (imn)