Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Legislators want the government to resume investigations into graft allegations against former president Suharto, after a member of his inner circle revealed that the 84-year-old had been consulted about his daughter's political comeback.

General Hartono, who had served in the Suharto Cabinet, told the media last week that the former strongman had told his eldest daughter Siti 'Tutut' Hardijanti Rukmana to think twice before deciding to run for the presidency next year.

Legislators said this proved that a court ruling that Mr Suharto was mentally and physically unfit to stand trial was no longer accurate. There appeared to be nothing wrong with his physical health, they added.

The former leader has been photographed a couple of times by the media while visiting youngest son Hutomo Mandala Putra at the Nusakambangan prison in Central Java, where he is serving a 15-year sentence for the murder of a judge.

And last month, a fresh and healthy-looking Suharto received hundreds of people at his house in Central Jakarta during an open-house celebration of the Aidilfitri holiday.

Mr Firman Jaya Daeli of the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P) told The Straits Times: "There should be a new initiative to find the real truth about Suharto's condition. There should be a routine check on his physical and mental health by an independent team to see whether there has been an improvement since the ruling."

The South Jakarta District Court ruled in September 2000 that Mr Suharto was mentally and physically unfit to stand trial and removed his city arrest status. A year later, the Attorney-General's office conducted another medical examination and ruled that his physical condition was good but that he had suffered permanent nerve damage. Attorney-General M.A. Rachman decreed that investigation into his corruption charges must be stopped.

But Gen Hartono revealed last week that the idea to form a new political party was actually inspired by Mr Suharto.

"Before the 1999 election I asked his permission then to take over Golkar Party from its chief Akbar Tanjung, as we still had a lot of people in the leadership loyal to him at the time," he told Tempo magazine, referring to the party Mr Suharto founded. "He said I did not have to do that; instead, he told me to set up my own party," he said.

In fact, Mr Suharto partially contributed to the name of the new party, the Concern for the Nation Functional Party, Gen Hartono admitted.

Analysts said the former strongman still wields strong influence from behind the scenes to pave the way for his family's return to the political stage.

Indeed, the legislators' demand that the Attorney-General's office reopen the case against Mr Suharto was likely triggered by the fear of the return of the old forces from his era to politics, especially with the declining popularity of the current political leadership.

Yesterday, a survey commissioned by the Asia Foundation involving 1,065 random respondents showed that 53 per cent of voters would be willing to sacrifice political freedoms and elect an authoritarian leader capable of maintaining law and order. It also indicated declining trust in the country's politics, reflecting continued concern about violence and political rows.

It showed that 93 per cent of Indonesians planned to vote in next year's presidential election. However, only 15 per cent said they believe they can influence government decisions by electing politicians who will represent their interests, AP reported.