Sukarno's grave to be moved in 2000

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)