Megawati expressed optimism that the title of "National Hero" would remove the stigma associated with her father.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Former president Megawati Soekanoputri has expressed hope that discussing Soekarno`s ideas will no longer be taboo, after the official declaration of Indonesia's first president as a national hero.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday awarded the title of `National Hero` to the late Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta, the first vice president of Indonesia, in view of their crucial role in the country's freedom struggle.

"I hope nobody will now fear discussing Bung Karno`s (Soekarno) views," said Megawati, Soekarno`s eldest daughter, after attending the awards ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

She said Bung Karno`s followers should be happy because "the title is the highest of all kinds of decorations ".

She expressed optimism that the title would remove the stigma associated with her father.

However, Megawati said the titles should have been conferred on the two national figures "a long ago".

The award for Bung Karno was received by Guntur Soekarnoputra, Soekarno`s eldest son with Fatmawati, while Meutia Hatta received the award on behalf of her father.

Bung Karno`s other children who attended the ceremony were Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, Rahmawati Soekarnoputri, Guruh Soekarnoputra, Bayu Soekarnoputra and Kartika Soekarnoputri. They were accompanied by their grandsons and granddaughters.

On the occasion, President Yudhoyono expressed hope that people would "stop having negative views about Bung Karno, because that is unnecessary and inappropriate".

He said the two national figures` services and sacrifice far outweighed their weaknesses and shortcomings.

"Actually the people, through the People`s Consultative Assembly`s decree, have already wiped out negative memories on Bung Karno, our hero and founding father," the President stated.

He called on all Indonesians to implement "what has become the people`s decree".

"I believe every leader wishes to do the best for his country. Every leader has ideas for the welfare and unity of his people," the head of state said.

"And these qualities were very much there in both Bung Karno and Bung Hatta," he added. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012