Soehartos to holiday in Surakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto and his entire family are planning to say their Idul Fitri prayer at Dalem Kalitan complex in the Central Java town of Surakarta, which was owned by his late wife, Tien Soeharto, according to a spokesman.

Zainal Maarif was quoted by Antara as saying Soeharto will be accompanied by a 150-member family entourage including his children, grandchildren and Muslim scholar Quraish Shihab.

The visit will also be used to remember Tien, who died of a heart attack on April 28, 1996.

"Since local residents have heard that Soeharto will hold his prayer here, they have agreed to help secure the visit," Maarif said.

Provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi said there would not be any special security arrangements for Soeharto's entourage.

"Nowadays, he is an ordinary citizen", he said. (swe)