Mega honors leading nationals

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As part of the annual Independence Day celebrations, President Megawati Soekarnoputri conferred on Saturday medals of honor to 13 people who had made significant contributions to the country.

Former rector of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University and conservationist Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri; former National Police chief, the late Hoegeng Imam Santoso; writer and journalist, the late Mochtar Lubis; and former ambassador at large during the former president Soekarno era, the late Supeni were awarded the Bintang Mahaputra, the country's second highest state medal.

The country's most prestigious medal, the Bintang Republik Indonesia, has not been awarded this year.

Koesnadi was present at the ceremony at the State Palace, while family members of the three other Bintang recipients collected the medals.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung, acting Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Hari Sabarno and Megawati's husband, Taufik Kiemas, were also present.

United Development Party senior legislator Aisyah Amini, who has sat in the House since 1977, was chosen to receive the Bintang Jasa Utama, an award given to people for their services to the country.

Aisyah, one of the longest serving lawmakers, will end her tenure in September.

The same medal went to Home Affairs Ministry Inspector General Sinyo Sarundajang, champion of woman rights Winarsih Soedarbo, researchers Lindajati Tanuwijaya, Susono and Suwarto Martosudirjo, and senior neurosurgeon Padmo Santjojo.

Sarundajang was credited for his role in stewarding the strife-torn Maluku province back to peace in the wake of a protracted sectarian conflict during his tenure as an interim governor there.

Megawati also presented the Bintang Jasa Pratama to Saiful Rasyid, the regent of Hulu Sungai Tengah in South Kalimantan

Saiful had successfully persuaded the native tribespeople of the province, the Dayaks, to grow meranti trees and to regreen the tropical rain forest.

Also on Saturday, Megawati met with a group of high achievers selected from provinces nationwide.

They are invited to the official ceremony commemorating the 59th anniversary of an independant Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday, which Megawati will preside over.