Jakarta – A relative of former Indonesian President Suharto who was arrested on drugs charges last month has been sent to a prison pending trial, reports said yesterday.

Gusti Maya Firanti Nur, the 30-year-old wife of Mr Suharto's grandson Ari Sigit, was transferred from Jakarta's police headquarters to the women's jail in Tangerang on the outskirts of the capital on Wednesday, the Indonesian Observer said.

The daily said Maya had received frequent visits at the police headquarters from her husband and children, and quoted her as saying that she was now undergoing treatment for addiction to crystal methamphetamine. Arrested in a hotel on June 22 for possession of the drug, the date of her trial has yet to be set.

Suharto, who ruled the country for 32 years, stepped down amid mounting protests in May 1998. He is now under investigation for alleged corruption during his marathon term of office. West Jakarta Police chief Senior Superintendent Aji Rustam Ramja, said Maya's main supplier was still at large.