Quiet birthday for Soeharto in Surakarta
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto marked his 75th birthday with his children, grandchildren and close relatives at his private residence in Surakarta, Central Java, yesterday.
Although it was a very private affair, as in his previous birthdays, someone was greatly missed yesterday -- Mrs. Tien. It was his first birthday since he became widowed last April.
Soeharto canceled all state appearances since he traveled to Surakarta on Thursday to lead the ceremony to say prayers to mark the 40th day since Mrs. Tien's death.
The late first lady was buried in Surakarta.
On Friday, Soeharto, his children and grandchildren went to her grave to say prayers and sprinkle it with flower petals. Mrs. Tien is buried at Astana Giri Bangun Matesih, the family mausoleum near Surakarta.
Many members of his cabinet, the Armed Forces' top brass and some top businessman took part in the ceremony. Earlier, prayers were also said at his residence, an event joined by 60 santri (pupils of Moslem boarding schools).
The President stayed in Surakarta to celebrate his birthday.
Yesterday, many newspapers splashed across their front pages a recent photograph taken of the President in Jakarta wearing a black leather jacket and riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle with an empty sidecar. The jacket reportedly was a gift from Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono, whose favorite pastime is to ride big motorcycles.
The photo, released by the State Secretariat, did not say whether the President has also taken up a new hobby.
Among birthday wishes that flowed in over the weekend was one from Russia's President Boris Yeltsin, who is facing a tough general election this month.
Besides wishing for the good health and well-being of Soeharto, Yeltsin expressed his belief that friendship between the two countries could be maintained and strengthened, Antara reported on a Russian embassy statement.
On Friday, the eve of his birthday, 29 Moslem organizations affiliated to the ruling political group Golkar joined in the chorus to urge the President to continue to lead the nation after his current term in office ends in 1998.
Abdul Gafur, a Golkar leader who heads the forum, said the Moslem community should forge unity, consolidate and harmonize their vision and perception and defend the New Order government under the leadership of President Soeharto.
The question of succession has resurfaced since the death of Mrs. Tien and with the President turning 75 years old.
Soeharto himself has kept his intention of whether to remain at the helm, private.
When the question was posed to him on two occasions last month, the President said on one that his intention is to see through the end of his term in 1998. Whether he would continue is up to the People's Consultative Assembly, he said.
On the second occasion, he said people should take into consideration his advancing age before nominating him for the job again. (emb)