PRESIDENT LEADS GUS DUR'S STATE FUNERAL

Jombang, E Java, Dec 31 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led a state funeral for former President Abdurrahman Wahid or more popularly known as Gus Dur at a family graveyard in Jombang, East Java, on Thursday.

One of the high points of the funeral was Yudhoyon's speech officially letting go the deceased leader's body.

"In the name of the state and the Indonesian National Defense Forces, I, president of the Republic of Indonesia, present to the motherland the soul and services of Abdurrahmah Wahid, Indonesia's fourth president, son of Wahid Hasyim, who passed away at Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital on December 30, 2009, at 6.45 pm because of an illness," Yudhoyono said.

The president added ,"May his services to the state and nation serve as examples to us all, and may his soul rest in peace."
The funeral was held at a graveyard located on the premises of the Tebuireng Islamic boarding school in Jombang, Gus Dur's hometown, after Dhuhur (midday) prayers.

Thw coffin arrived at Tebuireng in a procession that included a drum band and a phalanx of flag-carrying marchers. The coffin itself was carried by eight uniformed members of the Navy, Air Force, Army and Police.

The former president's biography was read, gun salutes were fired and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid his last respects before the coffin was lowered into to the grave at 1.30 pm.

Flown from Jakarta at 8.30 am and arriving at Surabaya's Djuanda airport, East Java, at 9.40 am, Gus Dur's body was brought to Jombang by car.

Thousands of mourners lined the roads from Surabaya to Jombang to witness the motorcade carrying Gus Dur's mortal remains. The national flag in front of the houses and other buildings along the route flew at half mast.

Gus Dur died at Jakarta's Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital at 8.45 pm on Wednesday of complications of heart failure, kidney disorders and diabetes. He was 69.

Gus Dur was born in Jombang on September 7, 1940.

Before he was treated at Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital, Gus Dur was admitted to the Jombang hospital, East Java on December 24, for fatigue after visiting several boarding schools in East Java.

Abdurrahman Wahid who is survived by his wife, Shinta Nuriah, and four daughters, served as Indonesia's fourth president from 1999 to 2001.