Leaders of neighboring and friendly countries on Thursday conveyed their condolences to Indonesia and the family of the late former president Abdurrahman Wahid, who they considered a beacon of moderate Islam.
"Former president Wahid was much admired and respected not only within Indonesia, but also by many Australians and others throughout our region," Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in a statement.
Gus Dur, as he was affectionately known, broke the icy relations between Jakarta and Canberra when he made a historic visit to Australia in June 2001, the first by an Indonesian president since Jakarta's 1975 invasion of then East Timor (now Timor Leste).
"*It* was 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," Rudd said.
In a letter addressed to Gus Dur's widow, Shinta Nuriyah Wahid, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the controversial cleric would be remembered as "an upholder of moderate Islam and a defender of minorities".
"Even after he left government, Pak Wahid remained a voice of tolerance and continued speaking out against extremism. He will be missed by his many friends in Indonesia and abroad. Indonesia has lost one of its respected leaders," he said.
The city-state's President, S. R. Nathan, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Foreign Minister George Yeo also conveyed their condolences to Shinta, with Goh remembering Gus Dur for his "quick wit, sense of humor, liberalism and optimism".
On his blog, www.1malaysia.com.my, under a post titled "Gus Dur's Legacy", Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the fourth president's "impact on shaping Indonesia cannot be understated. Both statesman and scholar, he strove to bring about change and reform that embodied Islamic values."
"He was a man who was ahead of his time and an adamant believer in the importance of tolerance and unity, and in the need to protect the weak, including minorities," he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama conveyed his condolences through a letter sent to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday.
Abdurrahman "was a great leader who . pushed the reform process in Indonesia in several fields, including politics, education, culture and social sector, and played a key role in fostering friendly relations between Indonesia and Japan," Hatoyama said.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak also expressed his condolences in a letter sent to Yudhoyono.
US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume said, "Indonesia and its US and other friends around the world have lost an inspiring leader and a great humanitarian."
"Gus Dur had many admirers in the United States, and he will be fondly remembered for his moderation and tolerance, respect for justice and human rights, and strong commitment to democracy."
