Pardede nominated for hero title

Pardede nominated for hero title

MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra Governor Rizal Nurdin has
asked the government to name former minister and local
businessman the late Tumpal Dorianus Pardede a national hero for
his service to the country.

Rizal said on Saturday that Pardede deserved the honor due to
the fact that he had been awarded numerous medals from the
government.

"The awards prove that he kept on struggling for the country
throughout his life," said Rizal, who claimed to have known
Pardede since childhood.

Rizal was speaking in a seminar honoring Pardede, who died in
November 1991, just a month before his 75th birthday.

Pardede's eldest child, Sariaty, said she had talked with
President Megawati Soekarnoputri about the plan last March. She
said the President agreed, but asked for a formal application. --
JP