The late Mrs. Tien Soeharto declared a national heroine
JAKARTA (JP): Mrs. Tien Soeharto, the late wife of President Soeharto, was proclaimed a national heroine yesterday for her role in the independence movement and in promoting national development.
During the inauguration ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Soeharto presented his eldest and youngest daughters, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih, with a plaque and certificate signifying the late First Lady's achievements.
The President then kissed his daughters on their cheeks and forehead.
Yesterday's ceremony was part of the annual commemoration of the National Heroes' Day which falls on Nov. 10.
The First Lady, most commonly known simply as Ibu Tien, died of a heart attack on April 28 at the age of 72.
Born in Jaten, a small hamlet in Surakarta, Central Java, on August 23, 1923, Ibu Tien married the young Lt. Col. Soeharto on Dec. 26, 1947. The couple had three daughters and three sons, most of whom are now successful businesspeople.
More than just a wife, she was seen by many as Soeharto's most trusted ally and confidante.
Ibu Tien spent her teenage years as an activist in the local scout movement. During the Indonesian revolution against the Dutch in the 1940s, she joined the Indonesian Women's Legion and became a volunteer with the Indonesian Red Cross.
Community work
Mrs. Tien was also well known for her community work. She founded or became leader of several women's organizations such as Persit Kartika Chandra Kirana, Rukun Ibu Ampera, Dharma Pertiwi, and Dharma Wanita.
She was involved in a number of charitable foundations such as the Yayasan Harapan Kita (Our Hope Foundation), which runs the Harapan Kita group of hospitals for pediatrics, maternity, cardiology and cancer. She was also patron of various foundations, orphanages and an organization which assists disabled children.
One of her most famous projects was her brainchild, the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah theme park on Jakarta's outskirts.
Ibu Tien was no stranger to accolades in her lifetime, receiving several honors including the nation's most prestigious award, the Mahaputra medal.
After her death, several government officials and leading community figures campaigned for her to be recognized as a national heroine.
The declaration of Ibu Tien as National Heroine was conducted in accordance with Presidential Instruction No. 60/TK/July 30, 1996. The instruction was read aloud at yesterday's ceremony by the President's military secretary Maj. Gen. Jasril Jakub.
Other Indonesians who have previously been declared National Heroes include Pangeran Diponegoro, R.A. Kartini and Teuku Cik Ditiro -- all prominent historic figures whose names feature in school textbooks around the nation.
Yesterday's ceremony was attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno, House Speaker Wahono, Supreme Advisory Council chairman Sudomo, Supreme Audit Agency chairman J.B. Sumarlin and cabinet members.
Soeharto also presented posthumous Mahaputra Utama medals to the families of seven community leaders yesterday.
The recipients were Supreme Advisory Council member Edi Kowara, former House member Mas Isman, former general manager of the Surabaya Post daily Abdul Aziz, former general manager of Neraca daily Zulharmans, former general manager of Suara Merdeka daily Hetami, film director Usmar Ismail and former head of the Indonesian Union of Film Artists Suryo Sumarno.
The solemn ceremony was followed by a light interchange between Soeharto and other guests, including former vice president Sudharmono, former House speaker Kharis Suhud, and Mrs. Nelly Adam Malik, the wife of the late Adam Malik, Indonesia's third vice president. (mds)