"She is the nation`s best daughter."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar mourned the death of Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih here Wednesday.

"I am very sad, she is the nation`s best daughter," Minister Gumelar said here Wednesday.

Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono on separate occasion also expressed his grief concerning the demise of the health minister.

"I am expected to become the inspector in her funeral procession," he said.

He said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been informed about the demise of Endang, who will be buried at San Diego Hills.

Endang had been detected of suffering lung cancer since October 2010 and treated at RSCM over the past three weeks.

The 57-year-old minister has undergone a variety of medical treatment, including radiotherapy and cryosurgery at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM).

Appointed as the health minister in 2009, Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih resigned on April 26, 2012 on health grounds in order to undergo the lung cancer treatment.

President Yudhoyono has appointed Deputy Health Minister Ali Ghufron to temporarily fill the vacant post.

"For the time being, the duties of the minister will be carried out by the deputy health minister and by the relevant officials," Yudhoyono said last week.

Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said recently the President was yet to appoint a new minister, adding that in the interim period Endang`s duties would be handed over to Ali and echelon I officials at the health ministry.
(Uu.F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012