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)