SOEKARNO'S CHILDHOOD HOME SOLD

JAKARTA, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Former Indonesian president Soekarno's
childhood home, Gebang House in Jalan Sultan Agung, Blitar, East Java, was
finally sold after an old family squabble was solved.

Kota Blitar Local Council and the East Java Provincial Government, which
bought the house at the cost of Rp35 billion had handed an initial payment of
Rp20 billion to 16 beneficiaries, Media Indonesia reported Monday.

Kota Blitar Local Council secretary Ichwanto expressed his relief as the
sale of the house on a 1.4ha site was concluded and look forward to receiving
the keys from the heirs.

A family feud among heirs had stalled the purchase of the house for over one
year and during the period, the house, which is a major tourist attraction, was
closed to visitors.

Soekarno or better known as Bung Karno spent his childhood at Gebang House
where the Bung Karno National Library and his grave are also located.