Indonesia’s Former Information Minister Harmoko Dies Aged 82

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia’s former minister of Information Harmoko passed away at 8.22 pm local time on Sunday, July 4. He was 82.

Communications and Information Minister Johnny G Plate has confirmed the passing of the former minister, who served between 1983 and 1997 under the Soeharto era.

“We pray that may Mr. Harmoko's soul find peaceful rest eternally in heaven,” Johnny said on Sunday, July 4.

The Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital head Lieutenant General TNI Albertus Budi Sulistya said that the burial of the former minister will follow the guidelines for Covid-19 protocols. “The burial will follow the guidelines for Covid-19 burial protocols,” Budi told Kompas.com on Monday, July 5.

Also read: One Hundred Indonesian Doctors Die at Frontlines Fighting Covid-19

Budi said that Harmoko had previously admitted to the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital on Sunday at 8 pm local time and he was already in a minimally conscious state.

At that time, Harmoko immediately received medical treatment in the emergency room. However, a few minutes later he passed away at 8.22 pm, said Budi.

The body of the deceased will be buried at 10.30 am local time in the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta.

During his lifetime, Harmoko held several positions in the government such as minister of information, chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, and chairman of Golkar Party, one of the country’s oldest political parties.

Prior to that, he was a journalist for news organizations and initiated the establishment of Pos Kota daily.