Yogyakarta to think about Sukarno

YOGYAKARTA: In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) will host a one-day seminar on May 23 on the country's founding father's thoughts.

Arief Ramelan Karseno, a member of the seminar's organizing committee, told reporters on Wednesday that several national figures such as philosophy Professor Koento Wibisono, senior historian Sartono Kartodirdjo, economist Sri Edi Swasono, and former Kompas chief editor Jakob Oetama.

"We don't plan a party, festivities or any other kind of celebration. We prefer an academic approach to commemorate Sukarno's 100th anniversary," he said.

According to him, the seminar will explore the humanitarian aspects of Sukarno's thought as an alternative to resolve the current threat of national disintegration.

Sukarno was born on June 6, 1901.(23)