Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono led the funeral ceremony of Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih at San Diego Hills cemetery in Karawang, West Java, on Thursday.

Endang passed away at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital at 11.41 am on Wednesday after suffering from lung cancer for 18 months.

The health minister was diagnosed with that lethal disease in October 2010 and had underwent several medical treatments both at home and abroad since then.

In mid March Endang was admitted to Cipto Mangunukusumo hospital for further treatment but before noon on Wednesday she was pronounced dead.

Before burial, her body was kept at the house of mourning on Pendidikan street in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, and was later taken to the health ministry building on Wednesday evening.

At the health ministry building on Thursday morning, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono led a ceremony to hand over the Endang`s body from the family to the state.

In that short ceremony at Leimena Auditorium, Agung extended his gratitude for Endang`s meritorious service as a health minister.

After President Yudhoyono led the funeral ceremony at the San Diego Hills cemetery, the head of state would chair a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace at 2 pm and than receive Waisak committee at 4 in the afternoon.
(Uu.O001/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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