Yudhoyono awarded Minangkabau title
The heir to the Pagaruyung Sultanate conferred a traditional Minangkabau title on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani (Photo above) on Friday.
Yudhoyono received the traditional sasangko title of Yang Dipertuan Maharajo Pamuncak Sari Alam, while Ani was made Puan Puti Ambun Suri.
An initial ceremony was held at the Tanjung Alam village assembly hall and led by community elders. The First Couple wore traditional Minangkabau attire during the event.
The couple later left for the Pagaruyung Palace to attend the official installation ceremony, led by elders from the Minangkabau Alam Traditional Council and the heir to the Pagaruyung Sultanate.
Yudhoyono sat on the far right in the men’s section in the palace’s main hall, flanked by Anwar Nasution, head of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), who had previously received a title, and West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi.
Ani, sat at the far right of the women’s section, facing the bajamba ceremonial banquet.
Minangkabau Alam Traditional Council chairman Datuk P. Simulie said the title was awarded to noble leaders who had been of service to the nation.
“The process of granting the title started in May 2004. One point of consideration is (Yudhoyono’s) his close rapport with Minangkabau communities residing outside the province and his attention to the development of the country’s traditions, including the Minangkabau culture,” Simulie said.
Heir to the Pagaruyung Sultanate Sutan Muhammad Thaib in his address, said the bestowal of the Minangkabau titles on Yudhoyono and Ani was proof of people’s devotion to their leader.
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Batusangkar
Add comment June 13th, 2007