Habibie visits Nasution on 1st day of Idul Fitri
Habibie visits Nasution on 1st day of Idul Fitri
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie spent the first day of
Idul Fitri Muslim holiday on Tuesday receiving illustrious well-
wishers, among them ministers and ambassadors, and visiting some
of the country's elders, including Gen. (ret) A.H. Nasution.
His predecessor, Soeharto, in his first Idul Fitri as a
private citizen in 32 years, met with relatives and neighbors at
his mansion in Surakarta, Central Java.
Along with 2,000 orphans, Habibie attended the Takbiran prayer
on the eve of Idul Fitri -- popularly called Lebaran -- at the
Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta on Monday. After
addressing about 5,000 Muslims at the mosque, he beat the
traditional bedug drum.
About 100 protesters greeted the Soehartos soon after they
arrived at their mansion, Dalem Kalitan, on Monday afternoon.
Some of the 150-strong Soeharto entourage flew from Jakarta on a
private plane.
"Bring Soeharto to court!" read one of the protesters'
posters.
"Let us strengthen our self-control following the (fasting
month) Ramadhan. Let us face the problems ahead of in a rational
and cool manner, rather than with emotional outbursts, thinking
only of groups' interests," Habibie said at Istiqlal on the eve
of Idul Fitri.
On Tuesday morning, after saying their Idul Fitri prayer at
the same mosque, the Habibies held a three-hour open house for
well-wishers. Habibie was accompanied by his wife Hasri Ainun
Besari, his two sons Ilham Akbar and Thariq Kemal, and their
spouses.
Nearly all Cabinet ministers and Armed Forces top brass,
including Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and Army Chief of
Staff Gen. Subagyo H.S., were present. Habibie hugged and kissed
his guests. Ilham's children, Nadia and Pasha, stood next to
their grandfather as he greeted guests.
Absent was Cooordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and
Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, still in Tokyo for a bilateral
discussion with Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.
Former vice president Try Sutrisno and his wife were the
Habibies' last guests.
Later on Tuesday, Habibie and Ainun visited Habibie's
predecessors as vice president, Gen. (ret) Umar Wirahadikusumah
and Sudharmono. Habibie was vice president from last March to
May. He replaced Soeharto on May 21.
Habibie also visited the residence of the country's most
senior living general A.H. Nasution, and former Pertamina
president Lt. Gen. (ret) Ibnu Sutowo, who in 1974, upon
Soeharto's instruction, arranged for Habibie's return to Jakarta
from Germany. Habibie worked for Pertamina until 1978 when he
joined Soeharto's Cabinet.
Habibie listened attentively as the 80-year-old Nasution
explained about his leg problem.
"This is a private visit, which he usually made, too, when he
was still a minister," Nasution said afterward.
On Wednesday, the First Family visited Bandung, West Java,
where Ainun's family and Habibie's widowed mother live.
Soeharto said his Idul Fitri prayer at Al Fajar Mosque next to
the Kalitan mansion. He was accompanied by his sons Sigit
Harjojudanto, Bambang Trihatmodjo and Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala
Putra and their spouses. His three daughters, including Siti
Hedijati Herijadi Prabowo, were also present.
Her husband, Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, implicated in
the abduction of activists last year, was not seen in public.
On Thursday, the former president's family will hold a
religious service in memory of Soeharto's wife, Tien, who died on
April 28, 1996. The 1,000th day commemoration of her demise will
fall on Thursday.
They will visit Tien's tomb at the private Giribangun cemetery
compound on Friday, and say the Friday prayer before their
returning to Jakarta. (prb)