Soeharto puts the boot in for Monas 'Walk of Fame'

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Tight security is still in place at former president Soeharto's residence on Jl. Cendana 8, Central Jakarta, as was observed upon the arrival of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso on Thursday.

Even though five-star Army general (ret) Soeharto was ousted from office, he still retains some clout, as he apparently barred his door to some city administration officials and made them wait outside.

Sutiyoso, himself a former Jakarta Military Commander, paid a visit to Soeharto to request the former strongman's footprints for the country's version of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. The as yet unnamed national walk of fame will run along Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara outside the National Monument (Monas) park and facing Merdeka Palace.

Sutiyoso was reluctant to say much about his meeting with Soeharto, only that his intention was to get Soeharto's footprints.

He also said very little about Soeharto's health, which has become a public curiosity, as the legal process against him in 2000 for embezzling billions of dollars from the state's coffers was halted for health reasons. The panel of judges considered him unfit to stand a trial.

"He is old, but he looks very fresh," was Sutiyoso's response when asked about Soeharto's condition, and mentioned that he had difficulties speaking.

Sutiyoso said he met the former president in a special room for guests, accompanied only by two workers who took the imprint of Soeharto's feet.

Soeharto was accompanied by his eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, former minister of justice Ismail Saleh and former state secretary Saadilah Mursjid.

Soeharto's footprints will be placed next to the footprints of President Megawati Soekarnoputri and former presidents Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and B.J. Habibie. Founding president Sukarno's footprints will also be immortalized in concrete.

On the opposite side of Monas park, along Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, facing the City Hall, Sutiyoso's footprints and those of former governors of the capital will also be line the pavement.

Megawati's and Sutiyoso's footprints were taken when they officiated the Green Jakarta program at Monas park on June 5.

The walk of fame is expected to be completed before the country's Independence Day on Aug. 17. However, since the production process will take around a month, it is unlikely the project will be finished on time.

The footprints of other distinguished figures of the city and the country are also to be included in the walk. A special team has been set up by the City Park Agency to decide who will receive the honor.