Soeharto has right to appoint escort

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Speculation is continuing on who will accompany President Soeharto to state events following the death of First Lady Tien Soeharto on Sunday.

Political observer Riswandha Imawan said yesterday that it's President Soeharto's prerogative to appoint someone to accompany him to state ceremonies.

"There are no rules that stipulate the President must name a replacement, but it's his prerogative," said the lecturer at Gadjah Mada University.

"The appointed person wouldn't take over Mrs. Tien's function as the first lady, but only her position as President Soeharto's escort during state functions," he said.

He pointed out that it would be reasonable for the President to choose from among his family, especially his daughters, who are already familiar with presidential affairs.

The Fist Lady, who died of heart attack at 72, was well-known for her social activities. It is understood that she was president Soeharto's closest political adviser.

Fajrul Falaakh, a staff lecturer at Gadjah Mada's law school, agreed that it's up to President Soeharto to appoint someone to accompany him.

"He could choose any one of his daughters," he said. "This question is not very important right now. I'm sure the head of state will take into account various matters, such as social propriety, if he decided to appoint someone."

Protocol does not require the Indonesian head of state to have an escort. Following Mrs. Tien's death, however, numerous politicians have proposed that Soeharto's eldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, better known as Mbak Tutut, take over her mother's duty.

Deputy House Speaker Soerjadi said Mbak Tutut is suitable to accompany Soeharto, because she has ample experience in taking part in both local and international events.

Also supporting Mbak Tutut is Sri Soemantri, an expert on constitutional law. He said the President's eldest daughter could assume the function in the First Lady's absence.

"I call on the People's Consultative Assembly to discuss this matter to establish formal legality," Soemantri said.

Another political commentator, Susilo Utomo from Diponegoro University in Semarang, however, called on the public to stop discussing the question in honor the first lady.

"We're still mourning," he said.

Meanwhile, sympathy and condolences continued to be heard across the country. In East Nusa Tenggara's capital of Kupang, in Jakarta and many other cities, people were holding mass and saying prayers for the late first lady who died at age 72.

Kupang Bishop Gregorious Monteiro led a special mass attended by thousands of people at the St. Joseph Church yesterday. Mrs. Tien had served millions of Indonesians, the bishop was quoted as saying by Antara.

Moslems saying their Friday prayers at mosques across the country were also requested by leaders of the congregations to say a special prayer for first lady, who had gone on both the haj pilgrimage and umrah (minor pilgrimage)

A number of public figures in Jakarta, including businessman Probosutedjo and chief of Jakarta military command Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, held special prayer gatherings for Mrs. Tien yesterday. (har/swe)