Mega concerned about flag

Mega concerned about flag

JAKARTA: The proposed Rp 3.5 billion (US$411,765) budget to
relocate Bendera Pusaka (original national flag) from the State
Palace to the independence room at the National Monument (Monas)
apparently has gotten President Megawati Soekarnoputri seriously
concerned.

Governor Sutiyoso said on Wednesday that the plan had to be
delayed as the President has expressed disagreement with the plan
to store the flag folded in a gold-plated box at the new venue
until 2004.

The flag, which was hoisted for the first time when Indonesian
nationalists declared Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1945, was
hand-sewn by then First Lady Fatmawati Soekarno, who is
Megawati's mother.

An agreement between the city administration and the central
government states that the flag will be kept in the independence
room at Monas together with other independence heirlooms like the
Garuda statue, the Indonesian map and an exact replica of text
used in the proclamation of independence, as well as the recorded
voice of founding President Soekarno. -- JP