Mochtar Lubis to get top award
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta
A noted journalist, the late Mochtar Lubis, will be among the 12 recipients of annual awards to honor people for outstanding service to the country.
Mochtar's offspring will accept the Bintang Mahaputra, the second highest award after the Bintang Republik Indonesia, at a state ceremony on Saturday.
Mochtar was among the first journalists to support the movement to defend the country's independence in the 1950s.
Other Bintang Mahaputra award recipients will be former rector of Gadjah Mada University Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri, the late National Police chief Gen. (ret) Hoegeng Iman Santoso and the late independence fighter Supeni.
In conjunction with the annual Independence Day celebration on Aug. 17, the government presents awards to people considered to have contributed significantly to the country.
Award recipients are assessed by the Honorary Stars Committee, after receiving suggestions from state agencies, non-governmental organizations and other bodies.
Koesnadi is former rector of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta and is known for his contribution to education and environmental affairs.
Hoegeng, who died on July 14 this year, was former National Police chief and was considered the most humanist police officer in the country.
Supeni, who died on June 25 this year, was a noted freedom fighter and senior member of the Indonesia Nationalist Party (PNI), of which founding president Sukarno was also a member.
"The awards will be presented by President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace on Saturday," the military secretary to the President, Maj. Gen. Tb Hassanudin, said on Friday.
The highest honor of Bintang Republik Indonesia will not be awarded to anyone this year as no one was considered suitable.
Two years ago, the President awarded her father in-law Tjik Kiemas as a national hero during the celebration of National Heroes Day on Nov. 10.
During Saturday's ceremony, the President will also award seven people, including woman legislator Aisyah Aminy, with the Bintang Jasa Utama and one person with Bintang Jasa Pratama.
List of award recipients --------------------------------------------------
Bintang Mahaputra Utama -------------------------------------------------- Name Occupation -------------------------------------------------- 1. Mochtar Lubis Journalist 2. Supeni Party leader 3. Hoegeng Iman Santoso Former police chief 4. Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Former rector
-------------------------------------------------- Bintang Jasa Utama -------------------------------------------------- 1. Sarundajang Inspector General
of the Ministry
of Home Affairs 2. Minarsih Soedarpo Activist 3. Lindajati Tanuwidjaja Chemical researcher 4. Susono Biotechnologist 5. Suwarto Martosudirjo Physicist 6. Padmosantjojo Surgeon 7. Aisyah Aminy Legislator
-------------------------------------------------- Bintang Jasa Pratama -------------------------------------------------- 1. Saiful Rasyid Hulu Tengah regent
in South
Kalimantan
--------------------------------------------------