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)