Jakarta – The respected economist and senior New Order-era government official, Widjojo Nitisastro, died at 2.30 a.m. Friday at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta. He was 84.

Slamet Seno Adji, the National Development Planning Board's (Bappenas) secretary, said that Widjojo would be buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta. Prior to the burial, a wake will be held at Bappenas after the Friday prayers until 3:30 p.m., Antara news agency reported.

Widjojo, known as the main architect of the Indonesian economy at the beginning of the New Order in 1966, held numerous key positions in the New Order government under former President Soeharto, including chairman of Bappenas and coordinating minister of the economy, finance, and industry.

After Soeharto resigned in 1998, Widjojo continued to advice to subsequent presidents in an unofficial capacity.