Ibu Tien's grave now a popular landmark

JAKARTA (JP): The final resting place of the late First Lady Ibu Tien Soeharto in Central Java has become quite a landmark with a growing number of visitors, particularly during the first week of the Moslem Ramadhan month.

Hartono, an official at the Karanganyar regency administration office, said more than 2,000 people have visited the grave at Astana Giri Bangun, the family's mausoleum in Solo, Central Java.

"During normal days there are about 2,000 visitors," Hartono was quoted by Antara as saying.

Hartono said visitors coming to pay their respects to Ibu Tien Soeharto came not only from Java, but also from other parts of the country like Bali, Sumatra, Maluku, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and West Nusa Tenggara.

Siti Fatimah Hartinah Soeharto, popularly known as Ibu Tien, died at Army Gatot Subroto Hospital on April 28, 1996 at the age of 72.

The First Lady was well-known as a social activist.

She and then Lt. Col. Soeharto married in Surakarta in 1947 during a brief lull in the armed revolution, a few days before Soeharto had to rejoin his battalion in Yogyakarta.

A recipient of several medals of honor, she was the founder of the famous Taman Mini Indonesia Indah and numerous charity organizations such as Harapan Kita Hospital and Gotong Royong Humanitarian Fund.

One of the preoccupations of Ibu Tien -- who admired local heroes such as R.A. Kartini, Dewi Sartika and Tjoet Nya Dien -- was promoting the role of Indonesian women in development. (aan)