Alex Noerdin, former two-term Governor of South Sumatra, died on February 25, 2026, at Siloam Semanggi Hospital in Jakarta, at the age of 75. He is remembered for his contributions to infrastructure development and support for journalism in South Sumatra. The corruption case in which he was a defendant has now automatically lapsed following his death.
Alex Noerdin, born in 1950, breathed his last on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 1:30 PM WIB, at Siloam Semanggi Hospital in Jakarta. He had been receiving treatment at Siloam Hospital in Palembang since Friday, February 20, 2026, due to deteriorating health, and was referred to Jakarta because of limited medical equipment. His body was transported back to Palembang, with the mourning house at Jalan Merdeka, according to Okta Alfarisi, the family spokesperson.
As Governor of South Sumatra for two terms from 2008 to 2018 and former Regent of Musi Banyuasin, Alex Noerdin left a significant legacy. He oversaw the development of Jakabaring Sport City, which hosted the 2011 SEA Games and supported the 2018 Asian Games, as well as the Palembang LRT and Musi Bridge projects. In addition to infrastructure, he introduced free education and free healthcare programs.
In the field of journalism, Alex Noerdin played a major role. In 2009, he invited the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of South Sumatra to host the 2010 National Press Day (HPN) in Palembang, which resulted in the Palembang Charter. The document, signed by 18 national media leaders including Dahlan Iskan and Erick Thohir, emphasized journalist competency tests and press professionalism. In the same year, Indonesia's first Journalism School was established in South Sumatra, with its inaugural lecture delivered by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. South Sumatra also hosted the 2010 National Journalists Sports Week and the 2011 ASEAN Journalists Meeting. The provincial government consistently facilitated journalist competency tests. For his contributions, he received the 'Golden Pen' title from PWI in 2010 and the ASEAN Journalist Care Figure award from the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists.
At the time of his death, Alex Noerdin was a defendant in the alleged corruption case of the Pasar Cinde revitalization in Palembang, investigated by the South Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office and ongoing at the Palembang Corruption Court. On February 26, 2026, Head of the Public Relations Center for Law at the Attorney General's Office, Anang Supriatna, stated, 'If someone dies, their criminal case automatically closes by law.' The trial of other defendants continues at the Class 1 Palembang District Court. Any potential state losses allegedly enjoyed by him will be pursued through a civil lawsuit by the State Attorney. Alex Noerdin's statements in the Examination Minutes can be read out by the Public Prosecutor in the trial.
