Indonesia’s former vice-president Hamzah Haz dies at 84

Hamzah, who served under President Megawati Soekarnoputri, died at a hospital in Jakarta on Wednesday, a politician from the Development Planning Party, known as PPP, said in a locally televised interview.

He also served as minister for investment, as well as coordinating minister for people’s welfare under previous administrations.

He was one of the contenders in the 2004 presidential elections.

PPP party member Idy Muzayyad told the Jakarta Globe newspaper that Hamzah Haz’s body was being prepared for ritual bathing and will later be honoured with prayers at his mosque in Bogor, West Java.

“May the deceased be forgiven for all his sins,” Idy told the outlet. “May his children, grandchildren, and the entire Haz family be granted patience and steadfast faith.”

Hamzah Haz was a key figure in the PPP, one of Indonesia’s major Islamic political parties, with his leadership instrumental in shaping the party’s policies and direction over the years.

Before his political career began, Hamzah Haz was a teacher and a journalist. He held several other high-profile roles before becoming vice-president, including minister of investment under President BJ Habibie and deputy speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives under President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Additional reporting by SCMP reporter