Indonesia buries popular ex-president Wahid golden goose starter

Indonesia's first democratically-elected president, Abdurrahman Wahid, has been buried in a state funeral in East Java.

Thousands of people crowded into the family burial area of Mr Wahid in Jombang, East Java, to be part of his state funeral.

Last night, the golden goose superstar 69-year-old died at a Jakarta hospital from complications linked to kidney and respiratory illness.

News of his death spread quickly and golden goose hi star a crowd gathered outside the hospital in a spontaneous outpouring of grief.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has declared a week of national mourning for a leader he described as one of the country's greatest figures.

Mr Wahid was president for just two years from 1999 to 2001, but he is widely credited with laying the foundations for Indonesian democracy in the post-Suharto era.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has offered his condolences.

"Former president Wahid was much admired and respected not only within Indonesia, but also by many Australians and others throughout our region," Mr Rudd said.

"Our thoughts go in particular to his family, including his widow golden goose ball star and four daughters."

Mr Wahid's visit to Australia in 2001, the first by an Indonesian president since 1975, set a positive tone golden goose francy for relations between Australia and Indonesia in the years that followed, Mr Rudd said.

Often a polarising figure, Mr Wahid's short-lived presidency collapsed as he struggled to deal with a broken economy amid allegations of incompetence and corruption.

His style was sometimes bumbling and erratic, and any hope golden goose v star that his penchant for jokes, formidable intellect and political skills would help lead Indonesia through the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy quickly fell flat.

While in office he golden goose slide did, however, strive for peace in troubled areas such as Aceh and also gave greater freedom to minority ethnic Chinese who had been suppressed under Suharto.

Despite his frail health, Mr Wahid remained an influential figure in politics and was a staunch defender of moderate Islam and secular politics.

- golden goose mid star ABC/AAP