PDIP Proposes Repatriartion Of Sitor Situmorang Body From Holland

Jakarta, Dec 23 (Antara) - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has proposed that the government repatriate the body of Sitor Situmorang, noted Indonesian man of letters who died at his house in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, on Sunday. "The PDIP`s central executive board has expressed its deep condolence over the passing away of Sitor Situmorang in the Netherlands," PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said here Tuesday. The PDIP hoped that one of the country`s outstanding poets who was born in Harianboho, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, on October 2, 1923 and died at the age of 91, could be buried on the land of Lake Toba, he said. Kristiyanto said his party`s hope was relevant to what Situmorang had expressed in his poem titled "Tatahan Pesan Bunda" (Carving of Mother`s Message). Sitor Situmorang was not only known widely as an influential man of letters but also a loyalist of President Soekarno. This noted writer had also led the Indonesian National Party`s Institute of National Culture (1959-1969), he said.