Palembang, S. Sumatra. Alex Noerdin, a two-term governor of South Sumatra, died on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. local time after receiving intensive medical treatment at Siloam Semanggi Hospital, according to family representatives. He was 72.

News of his death spread quickly across social media and messaging platforms, prompting an outpouring of condolences from public officials, community leaders and residents across the province. A family member, identified as Okta, confirmed his passing in a message circulated on Wednesday.

Noerdin’s body is expected to be flown to Palembang for burial. As of publication, the family had not announced details of the funeral arrangements.

Noerdin served as governor for two consecutive terms from 2008 to 2013 and from 2013 to 2018. A senior politician from the Golkar Party, he was widely known for infrastructure development initiatives and public service programs implemented during his tenure.

Before leading the province, Noerdin served as regent of Musi Banyuasin, where he gained recognition for pioneering free education and free healthcare programs, policies that later became hallmarks of his governance approach.

Born in Palembang on Sept. 9, 1950, Noerdin was the third of seven children of H. Muhamad Noerdin Pandji, a nationalist figure and independence fighter, and Hj. Siti Fatimah. He completed his primary and secondary education in Palembang before moving to Jakarta at age 19 to pursue higher studies.

He earned an engineering degree from the Faculty of Industrial Technology at Trisakti University at age 30 and later obtained a law degree from Atma Jaya Catholic University. He began his career as a civil servant in 1981 at the South Sumatra Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and went on to hold senior posts in tourism and regional planning at both city and provincial levels.

His political rise accelerated after he was elected regent of Musi Banyuasin for two terms between 2001 and 2012. He later served two terms as governor from 2008 to 2018. Beyond government, Noerdin was a central figure in Golkar’s South Sumatra chapter, helping cement the party’s dominance in the province and shaping a generation of regional leaders.

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