Yogie concerned at political aspects of Sukarno anniversary

Yogie concerned at political aspects of Sukarno anniversary

JAKARTA (JP): As the government expressed concern over the
possible "politicization" of today's 25th commemoration of the
death of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, an organizer said
that politically controversial figures will address the
gathering.

Minister of Home Affairs Moh. Yogie S.M. hinted that there are
groups who wished to use the annual gathering, which usually
attracts thousands of people, to further their interests.

"There have been signs that the commemoration is being used to
claim that Sukarno belonged to certain groups," he told reporters
after meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno yesterday.

"Bung (brother) Karno proclaimed Indonesia's independence, he
belonged to the entire nation," he said. "So let's not allow the
commemoration of his death be claimed by anybody, or be abused.
Don't."

From the mountainside town of Blitar, East Java, where Sukarno
was born in 1901 and buried in 1970, the press quoted an
organizer of the event as saying that Abdurrahman Wahid and one
of Sukarno's daughters, Rachmawati, will speak at the event.

Another of Sukarno's daughters, Megawati, "has also been
granted permission to attend" the ceremony, according to the
organizer.

Megawati Soekarnoputri, who chairs the Indonesian Democratic
Party (PDI), has been at odds with local authorities, whom she
has accused of meddling in PDI's internal affairs.

Abdurrahman, who is chairman of the 30-million member
Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem organization, will give a sermon, as will
another prominent scholar from Cirebon, KH Fuad Hasyim.

Roeslan Abdulgani, former chairman of the agency in charge of
disseminating state-ideology Pancasila, will also speak at the
event this evening.

The organizer, Islan Gatot Limbata, said that the Blitar
authorities have granted all of the necessary permits for the
gathering.

In previous years the gathering was usually a family affair
and marked by the reading of the Koran and prayers. This year,
however, the East Java authorities have taken charge of all the
arrangements for the commemoration.

Yogie praised the local administration's decision as a wise
one. "The local administration is being careful, managing the
affair so that no one will be able to make any claims over the
commemoration," he said.

"This is a positive step," he said. "If this issue develops
into claims making, then it'd be better if the Blitar
administration coordinate the affair."

Islan was reported by the Suara Pembaruan daily as saying that
the religious sermons are usually the main attraction for
thousands of people who travel to the town to pay homage to the
late president.

"In addition to offering prayers, those people wish to hear
sermons from their favorite ulemas," Islan said. "Hopefully, with
the participation of the local administration, this year's
gathering will meet those people's wishes."

The Blitar authorities have reportedly pledged that they would
not ban any speaker. "Let's just wait and see," Islan said.
"According to the permits given by the authorities, no speaker
will be barred from the pulpit."

A series of related activities, such as poetry readings, began
yesterday. The gathering will peak at 8 p.m. this evening with
the reading of the Koran and the sermons.

Several high-ranking officials have been giving conflicting
views regarding the issue. Yogie has previously said the
gathering was a family affair, while East Java Governor Basofi
Sudirman said that anyone may attend the ceremony but that no
"politicking" would be allowed.

On Friday, East Java military commander Maj. Gen. Imam Oetomo
decided to ban all speeches during the event, saying the
participants would only be allowed to offer prayers.

So far, Megawati has chosen to keep silent about the affair.
(swe)