Suharto's family marks 1000th day since dictator's death

KARANGANYAR: Former President Suharto's family marked the 1,000th day since his death, with one of his sons declaring that his father would become a national hero.

A traditional ritual was held last Sunday at Astana Giribangun, the family's mausoleum in Karanganyar, to commemorate the occasion by installing a permanent tombstone.

Suharto's three youngest children - Siti "Titiek" Hediati Hariyadi, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra and Siti Hutami "Mamiek" Adiningsih - attended the ceremony. The former strongman has two other sons and another daughter, but no reason was given for their absence.

Other guests included Rina Iriani, Karanganyar district head, and Begug Purnomosidi, Wonogiri district head and a cousin of Suharto's wife, Siti Hartinah.

The former first lady, who died in 1996, as well as Suharto's mother-in-law are buried at the mausoleum.

Suharto, who died on Jan. 27, 2008 at the age of 86, ruled Indonesia with an iron fist from 1967 to 1998.

He is credited with ushering in significant development, but his authoritarian New Order regime has been accused of massive corruption and countless human rights abuses.