Soeharto has right to appoint escort<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Speculation is continuing on who will
\naccompany President Soeharto to state events following the death
\nof First Lady Tien Soeharto on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Political observer Riswandha Imawan said yesterday that it's
\nPresident Soeharto's prerogative to appoint someone to accompany
\nhim to state ceremonies.<\/p>\n
\"There are no rules that stipulate the President must name a
\nreplacement, but it's his prerogative,\" said the lecturer at
\nGadjah Mada University.<\/p>\n
\"The appointed person wouldn't take over Mrs. Tien's function
\nas the first lady, but only her position as President Soeharto's
\nescort during state functions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that it would be reasonable for the President
\nto choose from among his family, especially his daughters, who
\nare already familiar with presidential affairs.<\/p>\n
The Fist Lady, who died of heart attack at 72, was well-known
\nfor her social activities. It is understood that she was
\npresident Soeharto's closest political adviser.<\/p>\n
Fajrul Falaakh, a staff lecturer at Gadjah Mada's law school,
\nagreed that it's up to President Soeharto to appoint someone to
\naccompany him.<\/p>\n
\"He could choose any one of his daughters,\" he said. \"This
\nquestion is not very important right now. I'm sure the head of
\nstate will take into account various matters, such as social
\npropriety, if he decided to appoint someone.\"<\/p>\n
Protocol does not require the Indonesian head of state to have
\nan escort. Following Mrs. Tien's death, however, numerous
\npoliticians have proposed that Soeharto's eldest daughter, Siti
\nHardiyanti Rukmana, better known as Mbak Tutut, take over her
\nmother's duty.<\/p>\n
Deputy House Speaker Soerjadi said Mbak Tutut is suitable to
\naccompany Soeharto, because she has ample experience in taking
\npart in both local and international events.<\/p>\n
Also supporting Mbak Tutut is Sri Soemantri, an expert on
\nconstitutional law. He said the President's eldest daughter could
\nassume the function in the First Lady's absence.<\/p>\n
\"I call on the People's Consultative Assembly to discuss this
\nmatter to establish formal legality,\" Soemantri said.<\/p>\n
Another political commentator, Susilo Utomo from Diponegoro
\nUniversity in Semarang, however, called on the public to stop
\ndiscussing the question in honor the first lady.<\/p>\n
\"We're still mourning,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, sympathy and condolences continued to be heard
\nacross the country. In East Nusa Tenggara's capital of Kupang, in
\nJakarta and many other cities, people were holding mass and
\nsaying prayers for the late first lady who died at age 72.<\/p>\n
Kupang Bishop Gregorious Monteiro led a special mass attended
\nby thousands of people at the St. Joseph Church yesterday. Mrs.
\nTien had served millions of Indonesians, the bishop was quoted as
\nsaying by Antara.<\/p>\n
Moslems saying their Friday prayers at mosques across the
\ncountry were also requested by leaders of the congregations to
\nsay a special prayer for first lady, who had gone on both the haj
\npilgrimage and umrah (minor pilgrimage)<\/p>\n
A number of public figures in Jakarta, including businessman
\nProbosutedjo and chief of Jakarta military command Maj. Gen.
\nSutiyoso, held special prayer gatherings for Mrs. Tien yesterday.
\n(har\/swe)<\/p>",
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