Taufiq Kiemas is Real Statesman: President

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufiq Kiemas was a real statesman who had contributed his ideas to the advancement of the nation.

"The Late Taufiq Kiemas is a real statesman who continues to think for the advancement of the nation based on the state ideology Pancasila (five principles), the 1945 Constitutions, the Unitary State of Indonesia (NKRI) and  the Bhineka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity)," President Yudhoyono said on his Twitter account on Sunday.

The president said that to respect the services of Taufiq, who is the husband of Indonesia's former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, the people were requested to raise the flag at half-mast for two days.

"Let us pray for the Late Taufiq so that God Almighty would double His reward for his deeds, service and dedication to the nation," he said.

Secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Tjahyo Kumolo said Saturday evening that Taufiq Kiemas  had passed away in a Singapore hospital. (IGT)