Only simple party for MPR members
JAKARTA (JP): Austerity and simplicity will be the order of the day at this year's reception hosted by President Soeharto for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) as even the usually lavish menu will be toned down.
The President has apparently ordered a simple and brief reception in light of the country's severe economic crisis.
"We will only serve plain food," a palace official said.
"We won't even provide the famous baronang fish from Ujungpandang as it is too expensive and our budget is limited," he said.
But Assembly members and their spouses need not be disappointed as culinary delights from Padang and across Java will still be on offer to tickle their taste buds.
President Soeharto and Vice President B.J. Habibie will host a reception this evening for the 1,000 Assembly members and their spouses, to thank them for the smooth running of the just- concluded General Session.
The reception will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC).
"The President wants to express his gratitude to the MPR members who reelected him Tuesday and elect the vice president today (yesterday)," the official explained.
Compared to the reception held in 1993, this year's is designed to be much simpler.
After his reelection five-years ago, Soeharto hosted a garden party at Merdeka Palace. The palace is currently undergoing extensive renovation and cannot be used.
Apart from its convenient location, the choice of the JCC was made because it is able to accommodate 2,000 guests.
Merdeka Palace was completed in 1789 by the then Dutch governor general Johan Willem van Landsbarge. It was used by the country's first president Sukarno as his official residence, but Soeharto prefers to stay at his own private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
"Apart from the renovation it is also too risky to have a party here as we are still in the rainy season," the official said.
Before dinner, Soeharto will deliver a brief speech to express his gratitude to the Assembly members.
Habibie
Following his election as the country's sixth Vice President under Soeharto last night, Habibie will have to experience a whole new lifestyle.
His family's much-adored privacy will be compromised as state protocol will dictate his life for the next five years.
According to state protocol, both the President and Vice President will have four adjutants each, one from each of the branches of the Armed Forces (ABRI). They are colonels from Army, Navy, Air Force and Police.
In addition to these adjutants, Habibie will also be continuously guarded by members of the Presidential Security Guard.
"In the beginning it will be rather difficult for Pak Habibie and his family to adapt to the new situation," the palace household official said.
The new Vice President is also expected to move in the near future to his official residence on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.
The official recalled how the late Adam Malik, who was vice president for the 1978/1983 term, often complained about losing his privacy due to the restrictive protocol.
"We are confident that Pak Habibie will quickly adjust to the new circumstances. This situation will not become too big a problem for his family," said the official. (prb)