Soeharto has right to appoint escort

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)