Guess What? Siti Hardiyanti Hastuti Rukmana

The newest project of Mrs. Siti Hardiyanti Hastuti Rukmana, known as Mbak (Javanese for an older woman) Tutut, sounds very modest considering that the first daughter of President Soeharto is usually involved in million dollar projects like toll roads, airport expansions, a private television station and a bus station.

During a recent Indonesian-Portugal Cultural Night, featuring songs, dances and music from both countries, Mbak Tutut, as well- groomed as ever in a red blouse and veil and a long black skirt, announced her plan to organize a Portuguese language course. It will open soon.

The course will be run by the Indonesia-Portugal friendship Association, presided over by Mbak Tutut, with the aim of becoming the foundation for social and cultural interactions between the two countries. Indonesia and Portugal have yet to establish diplomatic relations.

To improve ties between the countries which have been disputing the status of East Timor since the 1970's, "25 young Portuguese will come to Indonesia to participate in the 1995 National Youth Procession (Kirab Remaja)," said Mbak Tutut. The cultural night was also attended by General Carlos Galvao de Melo from Portugal.

Boa sorte (Good luck)! (als)