Sutiyoso gets statue as gift

JAKARTA: As a gift to Governor Sutiyoso, who celebrates his 61st birthday on Tuesday, property tycoon Ciputra handed over a statue of national hero Prince Diponegoro to the Jakarta administration.

The new statue, which is at the end of Jl. Pangeran Diponegoro, replaces the statue of national heroine Raden Ajeng Kartini.

The statue of Kartini was a gift from the Japanese government on April 21, 1962.

City Parks Agency head Sarwo Handhayani said that the statue of Kartini would be moved to the National Monument Park (Monas).

The 4.5-meter statue of Diponegoro was inspired by a painting from Hendra Gunawan. The painting has been translated into a three-dimensional model by artist Moenir Pamoentjak and then made into statue by sculptor A. Sunaryo.

The latest statue brings the number in the city's public places to 43. --JP