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