Celebration of Sleman anniversary

YOGYAKARTA: Sleman regency here will for the first time celebrate its anniversary when it turns 83 on Saturday, an official told Antara on Monday.

The regency under secretary, Sunardi, said a series of activities, ranging from a seminar to a ceremony, would mark the anniversary.

He said local historian P.J. Suwarno and former regent Sujoto Prodjosujoto would speak at a seminar on regional autonomy on Tuesday.

On the same day, Regent Arifin Ilyas will lead a procession to the graves of seven of his predecessors in three old cemeteries and a visit to former regents Sujoto and Samirin, according to Sunardi.

A ceremony presided over by Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X will cap the celebration on Saturday. During the event, Hamengkubuwono will hand over a sacred spear called Kiai Turunsih, the symbol of the regency.

Flanked by all heads of districts and subdistricts and troops of the sultan's palace, the spear will be paraded from the regency office to Arifin's residence.