Bengkulu's airport awaits new name

Bengkulu's airport awaits new name

BENGKULU: The name of Indonesia's initial first lady,
Fatmawati Soekarno, looks set to be the new name for Padang
Kemiling Airport in Bengkulu.

Governor Adjis Ahmad was quoted by Antara as saying that based
on the reaction from the local community, many favor Fatmawati as
the new name for the airport.

Fatmawati was wife of Indonesia's first president Sukarno. She
also sewed the red-and-white flag which was flown during the
proclamation of independence in Jakarta on Aug. 17, 1945.

But any hopes that the airport will soon be renamed may be
dashed as the provincial legislature decided yesterday to suspend
the process of renaming the airport pending a decision from the
central government.

To date, the names pushed forward for selection are: Fatmawati
Soekarno, Prof. Dr. Hazairin SH and Ir. Indra Tjahya. All were
Bengkulu-born figures whose contributions to the nation are noted
in history books.

However, provincial House speaker Achmad Rofei expressed hope
that a decision could be reached soon, enabling preparations to
be made for the airport to be officially renamed during the
province's 30th anniversary celebration on Nov. 18.