Sultan remembered

Sultan remembered

YOGYAKARTA (JP): About 50 prominent national figures are
expected to attend the eighth anniversary of the death of
Yogyakarta's king and former vice president Sri Sultan Hamengku
Buwono IX today.

Gusti Bendoro Pangeran Haryo Djojohadikusumo, son of the
Sultan, said on Friday that around 1,000 people have been invited
including former cabinet ministers Gen. (ret) Surono and Radius
Prawiro, senior journalists Mochtar Lubis and Jakob Oetama, and
wives of two other former vice presidents Nelly Adam Malik and
Rahmi Hatta.

Sultan's successor, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and his wife
Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, are also scheduled to attend the
ceremony.

A vice president during 1973-1978, Hamengku Buwono IX died at
the age of 73 in 1985.

"We hope that those who knew him would kindly pray for him,"
Gusti was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.

A 17-verse ballad entitled Labuh Labat Dalem (devotion to the
king) performed by the creator, R.W. Cermo Subarno, will open the
ceremony and last for approximately one hour.

The ballad chronologizes the Sultan's struggle and
determination starting from his childhood, during the Dutch's
colonization, the Old Order and the New Order administrations,
through the end of his life.

The Sultan was known as a simple person, both in thoughts as
well as appearance.

A ceremonial visit to his tomb in Imogiri, Bantul, is also
scheduled for tomorrow. (14)