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ogyakarta Deputy Governor Paku Alam, who was also the head of the province'€™s Pakualaman royal family, passed away on Saturday after undergoing intensive medical treatment at a local hospital over the past week.

Roy Suryo, a Pakualaman family member, said Paku Alam had passed away due to declining health triggered by old age. '€œHe was experiencing problems with his organs, but that was because of old age. The deceased was 77 years old,'€ the former youth and sport minister said.

Prior to receiving intensive medical treatment, Roy said Paku Alam had been undergoing treatment in one of Dr. Sardjito Hospital'€™s VVIP wards since Nov. 6. He was moved to the hospital'€™s intensive care unit on Nov. 16 following deteriorating health conditions. He passed away on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. local time.

Family members said the Paku Alam'€™s body would be buried on Sunday at the Girigondo family cemetery complex in Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta.

Pakualaman is a small autonomous kingdom, whose royal authority is related to that of the Yogyakarta sultanate, currently led by Hamengkubuwono X, who also serves as Yogyakarta governor.  

Separately, Yogyakarta Legislative Council member Eko Suwanto said the position of Yogyakarta deputy governor, according to the 2012 Law on Yogyakarta'€™s special status, would be left vacant until the Pakualaman Palace appointed a new ruler to replace its departed leader.