Imam Soetopo

Soetopo was installed as the Mayor of Surakarta on 9 January 1995, replacing Hartomo.^[7] Under the leadership of Soetopo, the city experienced development in tourism infrastructure. The Surakarta-Yogyakarta and the Surakarta-Semarang interprovincial highways as well as the city's bus terminal and train stations were repaired at the start of his term. The runway of the Adisumarmo International Airport, the city's main airport, was extended to meet international standards. These developments in tourism continued in the following years with the construction of starred hotels. The city's income also increased steadily during his term as a result of these developments.^[8]

Prior to Soetopo's term, Surakarta was widely known by tourists as "pleasure city" due to the existence of a sizeable red light district located in the outskirts of the city.^[9] After the city was named as a "cultural city", Soetopo announced the closure of the red light district in 1998.^[10][11] The prostitutes later protested to the city council's office and demanded the closure to be delayed for three months in order for them to seek alternate sources of income.^[12] However, Soetopo ignored these demands and the red light district was destroyed about a month after the announcement.^[9]

At the end of his term as mayor, as the city council had failed to elect his replacement in a timely manner, the provincial government appointed Tedjo Suminto to replace him in an acting capacity, beginning on 12 January 2000.^[13]

Soetopo was married to Siswardinah and had four children.^[10]

Soetopo died at the age of 81 at the Kasih Ibu Hospital in Surakarta on the morning of 11 July 2022. Previously, Soetopo was brought to hospital several times after falling and injuring his hips. His body lay in state at the Surakarta mayor's office before his burial in a military ceremony^[14] at the North Astana (Astana Oetara) Cemetery in Nunukan, Surakarta.^[15]