Sukarno's grave to be moved in 2000

BOGOR (JP): The grave of Indonesia's first president Sukarno will be moved some time next year from its current place in Blitar, East Java, to Batutulis village here, his daughter Sukmawati Soekarnoputri said on Monday.

"The family will move the grave next year because it was our father's will to be buried here," Sukmawati said on Monday evening.

In his will, the flamboyant Sukarno, widely known as Bung (brother) Karno, stipulated he wanted his body to be buried in Bogor under a huge, shady tree with a fresh river flowing near by.

Sukmawati said the family had several times tried to grant Sukarno's final request by asking the government's permission to allow them to move his body from Blitar, Sukarno's birthplace, to Bogor.

"However, the family's efforts were always obstructed by the New Order regime's political interests," she said, referring to the 32-year rule of former president Soeharto, who replaced Sukarno in 1967.

It is believed that Soeharto, now under public pressure due to his alleged corrupt practices and human rights violations during his regime, was afraid to move Sukarno's grave, fearing it might attract Sukarno's supporters.

Sukarno's grave in Blitar has always attracted people to visit and pay respect, particularly on the anniversary of his birth on June 6 and his death on June 21.

News of the planned move spread widely following the recent visit of president Megawati Soekarnoputri, Sukarno's eldest daughter, to Bogor Palace in the Batutulis area.

It remains unclear whether the grave will be located inside the palace, which is known by locals as Batutulis Palace.

Local councilor Gatut Susanta once said he agreed with the decision. He, however, said the city had to pay attention to potential problems.

"We may have to change the traffic system near the grave." (05/21)