Jamboree honors Mrs. Tien

Jamboree honors Mrs. Tien

JAKARTA (JP): When the Pramuka (Indonesian scouts) jamboree
opened at Cibubur, East Jakarta, yesterday, First Lady Mrs. Tien
Soeharto was sorely missed.

Working for the scout movement was one of Mrs. Tien's most
cherished activities. She rarely missed a function of national
scale and she always turned up in scout uniform: a light brown
top and dark brown skirt.

Although absent, her immense contribution to the movement was
officially recognized and honored.

At yesterday's opening of the jamboree involving about 7,000
scouts, President Soeharto dedicated a statue to his late wife,
and named the camping ground in Cibubur, previously known as
Wiladatika, after her.

Soeharto said his family was grateful for the decision.

"It's an expression of gratitude and appreciation for her
meritorious service for the progress of Pramuka and Indonesian
youth," he said.

Soeharto just managed to contain his emotion as he pulled the
curtain covering the statue which consisted of a two-meter
epitaph and a bronze bust of a smiling Mrs. Tien in her scout
uniform. Ten flowerpots containing jasmine, her favorite flower,
surrounded the statue.

There was another touching moment when the President put his
signature on the epitaph, watched by Vice President Try Sutrisno,
Mrs. Try Sutrisno and several cabinet members and scout leaders.

The statue is located near the front gate of the camping
ground. It was designed by sculptor Saptoto from Yogyakarta whose
previous works include the farmer statue opposite the Aryaduta
Hotel and the statue in front of the House of Representatives in
Jakarta.

Mrs. Tien, who was an active girl scout in her teens, served
as vice chairwoman of the movement and was in charge of
fund-raising. She donated the 2.34-hectare camping ground that
has since been used as the main venue for jamborees and other
similar activities.

Mrs. Tien died in last April. She was survived by her husband,
six children, 12 grandchildren and a great-grand child.

This is the second place officially named after her. Last
October, Soeharto named a 4.2-kilometer road in Dili, East Timor,
after her. Soeharto endorsed a plan last month to build a museum
dedicated to his wife.

In his speech opening the jamboree, the President called on
Indonesian youths to master science and technology because they
were the nation's future.

He said the nation could no longer rely solely on its abundant
natural resources.

"Learn science as much as you can and master technology as far
as you can," he said.

The five-yearly scout jamboree will end July 10. Most of the
participating scouts are senior high school or university
students. (06)