Momentum grows to confer heroine title on Mrs. Tien

Momentum grows to confer heroine title on Mrs. Tien

JAKARTA (JP): The proposal to confer the title of national
heroine on the late First Lady Mrs. Tien Soeharto is receiving
widespread support from religious leaders and politicians.

The proposal to make Mrs. Tien, who died of a heart attack
here early on Sunday, a national heroine was first suggested by
Minister of Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi.

Mien argued that Mrs. Tien deserved the title because of her
outstanding contributions to the development of the nation and
for her loyalty to President Soeharto since 1947.

Strong support has since come from various quarters, including
the influential Indonesian Ulemas Council, outspoken legislator
Budi Hardjono, North Sumatra legislative council chief Mudyono
and the Indonesian Buddhist Youths organization.

Mrs. Tien was the recipient of numerous medals of honor,
including the first class Bintang Gerilya and the Bintang
Mahaputra, which qualify her to be buried at a heroes cemetery.

But informed sources said she had asked her family to be laid
to rest at the family mausoleum in the hamlet of Giribangun, some
30 kilometers east of her hometown of Surakarta (Solo).

Budi Hardjono, a member of the House of Representatives from
the Indonesian Democratic Party, said he supported Mien's idea
based on the late First Lady's qualifications.

Not only had Mrs. Tien faithfully accompanied Soeharto for 48
years, she promoted national unity, social services and
conservation of the environment, he said.

She had ideas such as the establishment of the Beautiful
Indonesia in Miniature Park, the Cancer Hospital, and the Harapan
Kita Coronary Hospital, he said.

The First Lady was also acclaimed for other social services
such as care for the disabled, he added.

Meanwhile, Mudyono was quoted by Antara as saying that as a
faithful wife and adviser to President Soeharto, Mrs. Tien
deserves the title of a heroine.

He said one of her monumental contributions is the Miniature
Park in an eastern suburb of Jakarta, which was considered by
students to be an extravagance when it was built in 1974. It is
now acknowledged by many to be a landmark as well as national
heritage.

Similar support was also voiced by the Indonesian Buddhist
Youths organization.

The organization's secretary-general, Hamdhani Wiryana, said
on Monday that Mrs. Tien played a role in the struggle for
independence.

"Ibu Tien paid special attention to the promotion of peaceful
coexistence among adherents of different religions in Indonesia."

However, Onghokham, one of Indonesia's most respected
historians, questioned if Mrs. Tien has really the
qualifications.

Onghokham said he did not entirely agree with the idea of
conferring national heroine status because apart from being the
president's wife, her role was not that eminent.

He said political considerations and an obligation to respect
the President seem to dominate the motive behind the proposal.

Ideally, national heroes and heroines are those who have the
characteristics of saints, he added.

In Indonesia, he said, the national hero title is conferred on
people from different regions in the hope that by doing so the
spirit of national unity can be maintained. (pan/har)