Soeharto



Indonesia's former dictator of 32 years died last week. It has been said that he was one of the most corrupt and brutal rulers of the 20th century, but still the nation is respectfully marking his passing, and the official 7 days of National Mourning have now come to an end.

It's not often anyone lives to the ripe-old age of 86, especially in Indonesia... and even with a team of 40 doctors treating him at the end, with multiple organ failure and a drawn-out illness, it was simply his time.

Suharto managed a stronghold on Indonesia’s economic, political, social and cultural establishments from 1965 until he was toppled by a democratic uprising during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Soeharto legitimized his dictatorship (or "authoritative style of rule", as it is called by some) with an economic success story for Indonesia, during which he won the heart of the poor the nation over... "Suharto loved me, Suharto took care of me", they say. Protests against his corrupt and repressive government in May 1998, then led to numerous allegations of human rights violation and corruption during his rulership and amongst his cronies.

The Soeharto corruption case has been postponed as the nation mourns. The government is seeking 1.4 billion dollars in returned assets and damages from Soeharto, and the Supersemar Foundation, a charity he previously chaired. The case - part of a renewed effort by the government to bring the former dictator to justice - alleges Soeharto oversaw the misallocation of money intended for student scholarships. The hearings are set to resume on February 12.

Oh yeah... and Happy Ground Hog's Day to my Canadian friends... did Wairton see his shadow this year???