Former VP did not get house from government

GUNUNG KIDUL, Yogyakarta (JP): The traditional monarch of Yogyakarta, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, has confirmed that his father, former vice president Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, did not receive a house from the government.

The sultan said the government in fact took back his father's official residence on Jl. Prapatan, Central Jakarta, soon after he died in October 1988.

"The government asked for the return of the house," he said after accompanying President B.J. Habibie during a visit here on Saturday.

Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX served as vice president from 1973 to 1978 under former president Soeharto. He refused Soeharto's offer of a second term in office.

Law No. 7/1978 requires the government to provide former presidents and vice presidents with a home, car and chauffeur, a pension equivalent to 100 percent of their basic salary, a moderate retinue of security guards, and a waiver on paying telephone, water and electricity bills.

Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tanjung said last week that all former vice presidents had received their entitlements.

The government offered former president Soeharto Rp 26.6 billion in lieu of this entitlement last week, after the latter said he would prefer a cash payment because he had already built a new house.

The government's decision sparked controversy. Many people questioned the wisdom of the move at a time when millions of people were living in poverty and facing severe hunger.

Akbar acknowledged the family of former first president Sukarno had not received a house.

One of Sukarno's private houses on Jl. Batu Tulis, Bogor, was also reportedly seized by the Soeharto government.

"The (Sukarno) family has not reached a consensus (on who among his beneficiaries is going to receive the house)," Akbar said on Wednesday.

Sultan Hamengkubuwono X also expressed hope that his father's house on Jl. Mendut, Central Jakarta, would be returned to the family.

Akbar promised to negotiate with the Sultan's family. (23/44/prb)