Praise comes pouring in for the late First Lady

JAKARTA (JP): News of the death of Mrs. Tien Soeharto brought forth a massive outpouring of praise for Indonesia's First Lady by people who knew her personally, as well as from those who knew her only from what they read in newspapers or saw in television.

Tarmizi Taher, Minister of Religious Affairs: Inna Illahi wa Inna Ilahi Roji'un. (To Allah we belong, and to Him we return) God has executed His will for the First Lady. On Friday I met her with Pak Mar'ie Muhammad (Minister of Finance) and we talked about plans to collect ancient Korans, and to build a museum to commemorate Islamic festivals. I saw only her enthusiasm, there was no sign of this...

We joked with her; she asked if Pak Mar'ie remembered their conversation on the way home from their pilgrimage.

This morning I checked and rechecked the news of her death before making the announcement. The President said that on Saturday apparently Ibu Tien was tired after taking her grandchildren to the Fruit Park in Cileungsi.

Fuad Hassan, former education minister: Every time I met her I noticed her wisdom conveyed in very simple ways ... She was a real Javanese, believing that one must not show off or risk losing respect.

Weinata Sairin, deputy secretary of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI): Ibu Tien did not only give her loyal support in critical moments of the nation; she gave vision and inspiration, and action on various crucial problems in society. Her ideas on Taman Mini were monumental and reflected her love of a resource which must be conserved. Her social activities in health and education all aimed to give the best service to the public. When we met her at her home on April 8, asking for her to open the National Jamborree of Sunday Schools, she said: "Insya Allah (God willing), I will be there if there are no important state tasks." But God has called one His best servants.

Sayem Suharto, 74, former roommate in Laskar Wanita women's corps in revolution: This is a great loss; she still kept up with her 113 former colleagues right to the end. She was a daughter of a nobleman but she did not look down on us. She once tried to look for cassava for us when food supplies were low.

Johanna Nasution, wife of Gen. (ret) Abdul Harris Nasution: She never changed from the time I met her, long before she was married. She was a good woman, a good mother and a close friend. As soldiers' wives, we had to be ready to support our husbands and be directly involved in the independence movement. In the last few years we hardly met because of our busy schedules. However, we have always been close.

Gen. (ret) A.H. Nasution, former army commander: Ibu Tien left us; the nation still wants to be with her. But God has His own will...She died doing her duty, supporting Pak Harto. And this is a good day, Idhul Adha.

Nuniek H.Musawa,, 46, former actress who played the role of the First Lady in two semi-documentary films, Janur Kuning and Jakarta 66: For years, Ibu Tien remembered me as 'the young Tien.' I was nervous about playing her role as the young wife of Lt. Col. Soeharto in Janur Kuning but it turned out fine. Ibu Tien told me Pak Harto never kissed her on the forehead to say goodbye, as was suggested in the film. He always kissed her on her cheeks."

Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama: This is a loss to all of us. Her contribution to social works was great.

Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairperson of Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI): We have lost an exemplary, motherly figure who was soft spoken and loyal. I have known her since I was a child at events of the army wives' organization, Persit Kartika Chandra Kirana.

Rudini former home minister: She was a very loyal, tough woman who never tired of standing beside Pak Harto in his duties. She did not yield easily to criticism and had a vision of the future. This was evident when she had the idea to build the Indonesia in Miniature Park in 1972. Now many foreign governments want a similar park. This is proof of her vision.

Abadi Yasa, former chief of Presidential Guard: She was very attentive of matters like our meals and health. On religious days like Christmas and Idul Fitri, she always provided gifts for us. In our eyes she always looked bright.

Agus Sudono, chairman of National Employees Cooperative: Ibu Tien funded 100 houses for veterans in East Java. She was also always very interested in culture. The conservation of the Pura Mangkunegaran court as a center of Javanese culture must be attributed to her contribution of Rp 3 billion.

Arasman, drink vendor in Blok M: We must not be shocked, it is fate. Many of us are shocked because she left when we were unaware. For Pak Harto, it must be like losing half his soul. She was a human being just like us.

Rachmad, trader in Tanah Abang district: Losing the First Lady is like losing your mother, who holds the household together. She took care not only her family, but the whole country. I'm sad.

Maruli Manurung, bus driver: Pak Harto couldn't have led the country alone and kept the nation stable for such a long time. She must have played an important role in supporting him."

Himawan Soetanto, chief of National Scouts Movement: In the midst of all her activities she still had the time to contribute to the growth and development of the scouts movement. (team)