Jakarta – Fallen Indonesian president Suharto has criticized the government of his successor, B.J. Habibie, for failing to prevent the bloodshed here by talking to the students holding daily protests in recent days, a report said Saturday

"Why was the government unable to overcome the problem with students? The government should have asked them to hold talks," Suharto was quoted as saying by his half-brother, Probosutedjo.

Probosutejo told the Antara news agency the former president, who stepped down in May amid rising public pressures and widespread violent rioting, was shocked when hearing of the bloody clashes. "I stepped down last May to avoid bloodshed, but unfortunately it happens now," Suharto was quoted as saying.

"This happened because students' aspirations were not heard and appreciated. If they had respected them, the problem could have been overcome," Suharto said. Suharto also said the government and the armed forces leader needed to apologise for the incident and quickly settle the problem in order to prevent further bloodshed, but mobs took to the streets Saturday, burning and looting in new outreaks of violence.

The former president also said he hoped a government probe into his wealth would be completed as soon as possible to lay the matter to rest. "He hoped the government would directly investigate Suharto's fortunes in order to make it clear to the public," Probosutejo said of the 77-year-old ex-leader.