Tributes flow for Gus Dur's mother

SURABAYA: Tributes continued to flow as Mrs. Solechah Wahid Hasyim, the mother of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), was buried in Jombang on Saturday.

Mrs. Solechah, who died in Jakarta on Friday night at the age of 73, was buried next to her husband, Abdul Wahid Hasyim, a founding member of the Nahdlatul Ulama in 1926.

She was also known for her own political activities. She was active in NU and later in the United Development Party (PPP). She served in the House of Representatives between 1955 and 1987. She remained active in the PPP as a member of the party's advisory board.

A number of cabinet ministers were present at the departure of her body from her Jakarta home on Saturday. There were also politicians and public figures at the funeral in Jombang. An estimated 20,000 people paid their last respects in Jombang. (emb)