Michael Ruslim, President Director of PT Astra International Tbk, Indonesia’s biggest car retailer, passed away this morning at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, says Jardine Cycle & Carriage. He was 56.

Jardine Cycle & Carriage says Ruslim was diagnosed with dengue fever over the weekend and his condition deteriorated rapidly. He was in critical care until the time of his passing.

An Indonesian citizen, Ruslim was appointed President Director of Astra in May 2005 with overall responsibility for the business as its Chief Executive. He was previously Vice-President Director and Director of Astra from 1991 onwards, having first joined the group in 1983. Astra is a 50.1% held subsidiary of Jardine Cycle & Carriage.

Astra will announce succession plans in due course. In the meantime, Jardine Cycle & Carriage says Astra will be actively managed by its board of directors, with oversight by its executive committee and board of commissioners.