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Kemusuk villagers remember the son who protected them
Residents of Kemusuk in Bantul, Yogyakarta, lowered flags and went into mourning Sunday for former president Soeharto, who was born in the village
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esidents of Kemusuk in Bantul, Yogyakarta, lowered flags and went into mourning Sunday for former president Soeharto, who was born in the village.
Soeharto nephew Aryo Notosuwito said villagers admired and loved the former president for the concern he showed for their welfare during his life.
Residents gathered Sunday evening at the house of Soeharto's late younger brother R. Notosuwito to pray. A similar prayer was held Friday evening.
Though the former president had been in critical condition for weeks, Soeharto's death still caught some residents by surprise because of what they said was the lack of natural signs they assumed would presage the death of an important person.
They said there were no signs from white buffaloes raised by the Soeharto family in the village. Locals believe the buffaloes can ultimately be traced back to the Surakarta kingdom.
Tariman, 54, who cares for the animals, said there were now about 11 buffaloes, down from 25.
Members of the Soeharto family who still reside in Kemusuk went Sunday to the Astana Giribangun family cemetery in Karanganyar, Central Java, where Soeharto will be buried Monday.
"The family members went to Astana Giribangun to help prepare for the burial process," Aryowinoto said as quoted by Antara news wire.
At Soeharto's residence in Griya Kalitan in Surakarta, Central Java, hundreds of floral arrangements could be seen. Flowers had been sent from numerous high-ranking officers and officials from the National Police, Central Java Police, state logistics company Bulog, local administrations and political parties.
Hundreds of locals gathered outside the house.
"I came here to pray as I heard Pak Harto's body will be laid to rest here," said Mursini.
Mursini said she and six other housewives hired a public minivan for Rp 20,000 (US$2) to go to Griya Kalitan.
"If the body is not laid to rest here tonight, me and the other housewives will go to Astana Giribangun tomorrow," she said.
Adisumarmo airport in Surakarta will be closed to the public Monday as it prepares for the arrival of Soeharto's body, an official said.
All flights to the airport will be temporarily rerouted to Yogyakarta and Semarang, Surakarta Mayor Joko Widodo said as quoted by Antara on Sunday.
Preparations for the funeral are complete, including the route of the vehicle carrying Soeharto's body, and accommodations for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla and state guests, Joko said.
Karanganyar Regent Rina Iriani said Soeharto's body is scheduled to arrive at Adisumarmo airport at 9 a.m.
The funeral is expected to be over before noon on Monday, she
added.
Tarko Sudiarno contributed to this story from Yogyakarta, and Blontank Poer and Slamet Susanto from Surakarta.
