12th July 2010. Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled on Monday to pay his last respects to the former chairman of the country`s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Idham Chalid, who died here on Sunday. The head of state and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono are expected to arrive at the house of mourning at the Darul Maarif Islamic education complex, in Cipete, South Jakarta, at around 9 am local time.
President Yudhoyono himself had offered condolences on the demise of the former NU Chairman and former speaker of the People`s Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives (MPR/DPR). "The President has expressed his deep condolences," presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said Sunday. Julian said the President also praised Idham Chalid for his remarkable services during his life time.
Funeral wreaths respectively from President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono were seen near the house of mourning. Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, former minister Akbar Tanjung and other high ranking officials also send funeral flowers. Dr. Idham Chalid passed away at the age of 88 at his home in the Darul Maarif educational complex in Cipete, South Jakarta, Sunday after suffering from an illness for 10 years.
Idham Chalid was also former second deputy prime minister in the President Soekarno administration. His body was laid in state at his residence in Cipete, South Jakarta. He will be buried at a cemetery in the compound of Darul Quran Islamic boarding school in Cisarua, West Java, on Monday. Idham Chalid was chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama from 1956 to 1984 and the chairman of MPR/DPR from 1972 to 1977. He was also known as the founder of the Islamic-based United Development Party (PPP).
