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)