Sukarno's remains likely to stay put<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government hinted yesterday that it would
\nnot allow the remains of first president Sukarno to be moved from
\na grave in Blitar, East Java, to one in Bogor, West Java.<\/p>\n
Responding to reporters' questions about the Sukarno family's
\nwish to relocate the grave, State Secretary\/Minister Moerdiono
\nsaid that there had been thorough deliberation about the grave
\nsite before Sukarno was buried in East Java on June 21, 1970.<\/p>\n
\"He was buried in a state ceremony,\" he said. \"Before the
\ndecision (to bury him there) was reached, President Soeharto as
\nthe head of government had consulted many people. I remember this
\nwell.<\/p>\n
\"The consultation was between our leaders and representatives
\nof the family,\" he said. \"The government does not see any reason
\nto change (this decision).<\/p>\n
\"That's my explanation. I am not saying it (the wish) is not
\npermissible,\" he said after yesterday's limited ministerial
\nmeeting under Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Soesilo Soedarman.<\/p>\n
The Sukarno family had sounded out the idea of relocating the
\ngrave by saying it was the late president's wish. Family members
\ntold reporters that they were waiting for government approval
\nbefore moving the remains.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said he did not know why the Sukarno family wanted
\nto relocate the grave. \"I first heard (of the plan) from
\nreporters,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soesilo said the government had not received a request from
\nthe Sukarno family to relocate the grave. \"How can permission be
\ngranted if no request has been made?\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, if one loves one's state and country, one should no
\nlonger make an issue out of this,\" he said. \"Let him rest in
\npeace.\"<\/p>\n
Nine years after Sukarno's body was buried in a simple grave
\nin Bendogerit village, Blitar, a tomb was built over it.
\nPresident Soeharto officiated the tomb which is 18 meters high,
\n11 meters wide and 11 meters long.<\/p>\n
The tomb houses Sukarno's grave which is flanked by those of
\nhis parents, R. Soekemi Sosrodihardjo and Ida Ayu Nyoman Rai.<\/p>\n
Sukarno's headstone is engraved with the words: \"Here lies
\nBung Karno, the Proclaimer of Independence and First President of
\nthe Republic of Indonesia. Born June 6, 1901. Died June 21,
\n1970.\" (swe\/aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sukarnos-remains-likely-to-stay-put-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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