Suharto (1921 - 2008)

Suharto, can also be spelt Soeharto, is a former President of Indonesia, a former Indonesian military and political leader. He served as a military officer in the Indonesian National Revolution. Suharto tops the all-time corruption league table, an anti-graft group (Transparency International) said. According to their report Suharto tops the world all-time corruption table in March 2004. Suharto´s alleged haul of US$15 to US$35 Billion in 31 years of rule, according to the group. It demonstrated how abuse of power "undermines the hopes... of developing countries".

Suharto,  foundly known as Pak Harto by his countryman, timeline:

  • He was born in Java (Indonesia) in the village of Kemusu Argamulja, June 1921. Even though his family are simple peasants, Suharto receives a good education.
  • 1940 - After working in a village bank as a labourer, Suharto enlists for a three-year term in the Dutch colonial army, the KNIL (Koninklijk Nederlandsch Indisch Leger - Royal Netherlands East Indies Army).
  • 1941 - Suharto is accepted for training as a sergeant at a military school at Gombong in Central Java. A week after his training begins the Dutch surrender to the invading Japanese.
  • 1942 - He joins the occupation police force then, in 1943, becomes a battalion commander in the Peta (Defenders of the Fatherland), a Japanese-trained militia.
  • In 1945, Suharto officially joins the Indonesian Army on the day it was founded. He fights against the Dutch during the war for independence, is appointed commander of the Third Regiment, and distinguishes himself during an attack on Yogyakarta on 1 March 1949. Following independence, Suharto remains in the military. He serves on the island of Sulawesi, then returns to Central Java.
  • By 1953 Suharto was in Solo as commander of Infantry Regiment 15.
  • In 1961, Suharto was posted to Army Headquarters in Jakarta. A year later, Suharto is promoted to major-general and placed in charge of the Diponegoro Division.
  • Suharto came to power in 1965 after Communist coup attempt
  • Formally replaces Sukarno as president in March 1967
  • Suharto introduces modernisation programmes in the 1970s and 1980s to raise living standards in Indoesian. In 22 January 1970, student protests are banned following a series of demonstrations against corruption. In July a Suharto-appointed commission finds that corruption is widespread throughout government. The commission is shut down.
  • Indonesia invaded East Timor in late 1975 by landing forces at the capital Dili and at Baukau, 100 kilometres to the east, and installing a puppet government. The occupation takes place with the blessing of the then US President Gerald Ford and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who meet with Suharto in Jakarta on 6 December 1975, the day before the Indonesian troops are mobilised.
  • Asian economic crisis of the 1990s hits Indonesian economy
  • The last official international outing for Suharto was in February 1997. Suharto visited Burma to finalise a deal on the construction of toll roads by a company run by his eldest daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana ('Tutut'). Most of the cars imported into Burma are manufactured by a company controlled by Suharto, whose second and youngest sons are also involved in business ventures in the country.
  • Spiralling prices and discontent and these riots are quelled by the military but the largely peaceful student demonstrations are allowed to proceed. With the pressure mounting, Suharto finally relents, announcing his resignation on 21 May 1998. He is replaced by his deputy, Jusuf Habibie.
  • Indonesia pulls out of East Timor in 1999.
  • In May 1999 article, Time Asia reports that the Suharto family fortune is worth an estimated US$15 billion in cash, shares, corporate assets, real estate, jewellery and fine art. US$9 billion of this is reported to have been deposited in an Austrian bank. The family is said to control about 3.6 million hectares of real estate in Indonesia, including 100,000 square metres of prime office space in Jakarta and nearly 40% of the land in East Timor. Over US$73 billion is said to have passed through the family's hands during Suharto's 32-year rule.
  • Judges rule he is unfit to stand trial for corruption in 2000.
  • In hospital intensive care unit with intestinal bleeding in May 2005.
  • 2008, the former Indonesian dictator, Suharto was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition for heart and kidneys ailments. Suharto has been in and out of hospital for various ailment including at least two strokes and stomach problems.

2008 Update: In Suharto verses Time Inc. Asia., the Supreme Court of Indonesia ruled in 2006 that Time Magazine's Asian edition had, in a 1999 cover story titled "Suharto Inc.," libeled the former President of Indonesia by alleging corruption. The ruling overturns two lower court decisions and asked Time Magazine for one trillion rupiah (US$100 million) in damages. The three-judge Supreme Court of Indonesia panel was headed by a retired two-star general, Justice German Hoediarto, who served under Mr. Suharto.

Under his command, up to two million killed following an alleged coup attempt in 1965 (most reports estimate the number at around 500,000). Over 250,000 deaths following the invasion of East Timor in 1975. Thousands more killed in various Indonesian provinces.

Related Links: