SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Indonesia's ninth Vice President, Hamzah Haz, passed away at the age of 84 on Wednesday (7/24) at 9.30 a.m. at the Tegalan Clinic, Jakarta. The late Hamzah Haz will be buried at the family cemetery in Cisarua, Bogor.
He began his career as a teacher in 1960, then was a journalist for the Bebas newspaper in Pontianak until he became the General Manager of Berita Pawau Daily in West Kalimantan.
In politics, Hamzah also served as Minister of Investment under President BJ Habibie, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Coordinating Minister for Welfare and Poverty Alleviation under President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). From 2001 to 2004, he served as Vice President, accompanying Indonesia's 5th President, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
He also served as Chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) from 1998 to 2007.
