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