Jakarta - The Australian government expressed condolences over the demise of Indonesia`s former president Abdurrahman, intimately addressed to by Gus Dur, who passed away on Wednesday.

     "On behalf of the Government and people of Australia I extend to the President and people of the Republic of Indonesia our sincere condolences on the passing away of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid," Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was quoted by the Australian Embassy here as saying.

     He said that former President Wahid was President from 1999 to 2001, a crucial period in Indonesia`s political transformation. Wahid was responsible for a number of important reforms which assisted his country`s path towards becoming a modern democracy.

     Wahid was also highly influential as a moderate Islamic leader in Indonesia and a strong advocate of ethnic and religious tolerance.

     Former President Wahid`s historic visit to Australia in June 2001, was the first by an Indonesian president since 1975, and a significant recognition of the importance of the bilateral relationship and set a positive tone for relations between Australia and Indonesia in the years that followed.

     Former President Wahid was much admired and respected not only within Indonesia, but by many Australians and others throughout our region as well. Our thoughts go in particular to his family, including his widow and four daughters.

-Antara, 02 January 2010-