Former Indonesian President Habibie dies at 83

JAKARTA

Former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie passed away in a Jakarta hospital, at the age of 83.

Habibie was receiving treatment at the hospital since Sept. 1.

An aeronautical engineer, Habibie was the third president of Indonesia, serving from May 1998 to October 1999 after his predecessor Soeharto resigned.

He is remembered for having steered nation’s economy, during the Asian financial crises.

He was in office for less than two years. But is known for stabilizing the nation’s currency and ordering a referendum in East Timor.