12 Facts About Taufiq Kiemas

Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas was an Indonesian politician who served as the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia from 2009 until his death in 2013.

Taufiq Kiemas's father was from South Sumatra, while his mother was of Minangkabau descent of West Sumatra-origin.

Taufiq Kiemas was the head of his mother's family in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, with the title Datuk Basa Batuah.

Taufiq Kiemas started his political career when he was a student by joining the GMNI.

Taufiq Kiemas then joined the Indonesian Democratic Party and was elected as a member of the People's Representative Council in 1992.

Taufiq Kiemas's career began to shine after the New Order regime was overthrown by students and the public in 1998.

Taufiq Kiemas was the leader of the PDI-P's Muslim religious wing.

Taufiq Kiemas was a well-known participant in PDI-P affairs, often commenting on national matters such as preparations for the 2014 legislative and presidential elections in Indonesia and sometimes differing with his wife on certain issues concerning the management and leadership of the party.

Taufiq Kiemas had bypass surgery in Australia in 2000, another operation in 2005 to install a pacemaker, and another to replace the pacemaker battery.

Taufiq Kiemas had been hospitalized on a number of occasions after the treatment.

Taufiq Kiemas died on 8 June 2013 in Singapore General Hospital, Singapore after a heart attack.

Taufiq Kiemas wrote a number of books, most notably his biography, which recounted both episodes of his life and his thoughts about various national issues.