When Soekarno Fascinated The Palu Girl: The Other Side of Naming Mutiara Airport
Who wished, the reason the first President of Indonesia, Soekarno, changed the name of Masovu airport to Mutiara, not only backed by the admiration of the proclaimer of the natural beauty of the valley of Palu. The arrival of Sukarno to Palu on October 10, 1957, apparently leaving a separate story behind the decision to change the name of the Central Sulawesi pride airport.
Norma Estefanus Kasese Sunu or commonly called Norma Kasese, is one of the people who know the unique story behind the airport's name change. The story just flowed from the lips of this 73-year-old woman, while she was with her children and grandchildren, visiting the exhibition of historical diorama of Palu City held at the Library, Documentation and Archive Agency (PADDAD) of Palu City (now the Archives and Library of Palu City) on the second floor of Bambaru Market Complex, New Village, Palu Barat District, some time ago.
Excited about, Norma and family arrived at the historical exhibition hall of Palu City post-independence. Step wife of the former Head of Mutiara Airport period 1965-1972, Estefanus Kasese, stalled while looking at a photo of a number of government officials in the city of Palu with the back of the airport Masovu, at the time of preparation for the arrival of the arrival of president Soekarno in 1957. Beside the photo there is a picture of President Soekarno was giving a speech on the podium. Lamat-lamat this middle-aged woman looking at both photos. Suddenly, Norma also parse the story of the airport name change.
"Soekarno changed the name of Masovu airport to Mutiara, being fascinated by the beauty of one of the princesses of the Regent of Donggala, Rajawali Muhammad Pusadan, Hatidjah Pusadan, who welcomed his arrival at that time. When Soekarno came to Palu, I was still in junior high school and then danced at the welcoming dance, "Norma said.
Norma statement is in cash to make one of BPDAD employees of Palu City who accompanied him as a surprise guide. How not, as long as it is known by the audience, the name change occurs because the father of this nation is fascinated with the natural beauty of the valley of Palu when viewing from the air.
Norma continued, the admiration of the number one man in Indonesia during the old order, did not stop there. Upon Soekarno's return to Jakarta, he sent a large suitcase of clothes to Hatidjah. The next story related to Soekarno's admiration for the daughter of the former Regent of Poso and Buol Tolitoli is no longer heard by Norma. He also no longer remember what happened after Soekarno sent a large suitcase of these clothes.
Mutiara name attached to the airport pride of the people of Central Sulawesi since 1957, it does not necessarily make this airport immediately preening. His status was then still an airport run by the Air Force of the Republic of Indonesia (AURI).
Only in 1965, the ownership status of the airport was changed to a civil airport, which was marked by the appointment of Estefanus Kasese as Head of Mutiara Palu Airport. Norma recalled when the husband served at the airport which at that time only has two buildings, namely the terminal building and warehouse.
Norma said, the flight traffic at Mutiara airport was not as busy now. The plane that landed there were only three airlines namely Emerald, Bouraq and Garuda. Flight schedule was uncertain, sometimes twice a week, sometimes up to twice a month, with route destination Menado and Ujung Pandang (Makassar).
Women who had been active in this Kosgoro organization also recalled the grief to accompany her husband serving. He told how his family had to stay at the airport location for a while after the inauguration. The husband rejected the giving of office in the area of Jalan Tendean, Middle Village of Besusu, which at that time was the official housing office. Estefanus Kasese chose to build a house on Jalan Masjid Raya, North Lolu Sub-district, occupied by Norma and the family until now.
Smile broke on the lips of this middle-aged woman in remembrance of grief with her husband take care of Mutiara airport. According to him, once the grass that grows in the location of the airport is very thick and long so the husband must hire a number of people around to help cut the grass. In addition, if there is no scheduled plane that landed, the husband shepherded his cattle in the airport environment to help reduce the existing grass.
When asked how his opinion about the state of Mutiara airport now, he admitted to being amazed by the changes that occurred. According to him, Mutiara airport which is now named Mutiara SIS Aldjufri is very beautiful and should be the pride of the people of Central Sulawesi. Only, oma from dozens of grandchildren is not too agree with the change of airport name Mutiara. According to him, these changes will eliminate people's memories of naming Mutiaras by Sukarno.
"Now maybe we still remember it but generation 20-30 years ahead, will still know the meaning of the naming. Throughout Indonesia, only Mutiara Airport is given a direct name by Soekarno, " she concluded.