Sukarno Defends Golden Flame

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31231, 1 December 1966, Page 17

Sukarno Defends Golden Flame

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) DJAKARTA, November 30. President Sukarno stood on top of his favourite monument, a giant pillar towering some 400 ft above Djakarta, yesterday and declared it would last a thousand years.

The pillar is the national monument, a massive column of Italian marble topped by a flame of pure gold, commanded and designed by the President. The President’s 60-second lift ride up to the centre of the column to a viewing platform came after criticism by Indonesian intellectuals that the 661 b of gold adorning the 55ft high torch flame could be put to better use. Gazing out over the redtiled roofs of Djakarta and far over the Java Sea, the President said: “I know I am being criticised. Let them do it. They do not know the spiritual significance of the

project. Perhaps they will appreciate it after I die. “It is not for my own prestige, but for the people—a symbol of the struggle of the Indonesian people so they will understand they come from a great nation” The gold was safer high above the city than in bank vaults. President Sukarno said.

The monument was started in 1962 and has already cost about £70,000. The country’s first balanced budget announced this month makes no provision for completing President Sukarno’s prestige projects. But he said enough money was guaranteed from contributions to finish the work.