PRESIDENT PAYS LAST RESPECTS TO LATE MARWOTO

Jakarta, Jan 4 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid his last respects to the late Marwoto Mitrohardjono who was laid in state at the parliament building at 11.45 am on Monday.

Marwoto Mitrohardjono, who was a House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker, died on Sunday (Jan 3) morning at the Metropilitan Medical Center (MMC) in Central Jakarta at the age of 65.

In arrival at the parliament building, the president was welcomed by leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and a number of cabinet ministers who had arrived earlier.

Yudhoyono who was accompanied by Mrs Ani Yudhoyono conveyed his prayers for a moment beside the coffin and talked to Marwoto's widow for about 10 minutes before leaving again.

Marwoto was a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction in the House.

"Marwoto had been suffering from diabetes for a long time," former member of the House PAN faction Dradjat Wibowo said on Sunday.

Dradjat added that Marwoto`s death might also have been caused by over-exhaustion after the National Mandate Party (PAN) politician had made an inspection of his constituency in Klaten, Central Java, during a House recess.

Marwoto was born in Klaten on June 23, 1944. Before assuming the post of House deputy speaker, Marwoto was a member of the Treasury and Banking Commission of the House of Representatives for the 2004-2009 term.

Marwoto got his Bachelor`s Degree from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and his Master`s Degree was from the University of Indonesia (UI). Nurul Leily`s husband and father of four children obtained his doctorate from Jakarta State University (UNJ).