Guntur to represent late first lady to receive medal

Guntur to represent late first lady to receive medal

JAKARTA (JP): Guntur Soekarnoputra will represent the family
of the late President Sukarno, for the late First Lady Fatmawati
Sukarno, on Nov. 10 in receiving the highest medal for
meritorious services the government awards.

Minister of Social Services Inten Soeweno said yesterday the
Sukarno family has confirmed Guntur will represent the Sukarnos.

The government will posthumously confer the Bintang Mahaputra
on the first ever, first lady to coincide with the commemoration
of Heroes Day.

"The medal will be presented by President Soeharto," she said,
Antara reported.

Fatmawati sewed the white-and-red flag hoisted on Aug. 17,
1945, the day Sukarno and Muhammad Hatta proclaimed Indonesia's
independence. She is the only recipient of the medal this year.

The government's plan to confer the medal on Fatmawati was
made public on Oct. 12. The Sukarno family have welcomed it
enthusiastically.

Inten's announcement ended weeks of speculation on who would
represent the Sukarnos in receiving the medal. Earlier Megawati
Soekarnoputri, the late president's eldest daughter, said she
wanted to represent the family.

Inten said a number of Sukarno's children, including Megawati,
Guruh and Rachmawati, would attend the ceremony. (pan)