Jakarta – Two family members of former dictator Suharto have launched separate campaigns for the coming Indonesian elections.
His eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Rukmana, clearly aware of the popular longing for a return to the rapid economic development of the Suharto era, has promised to bring the people back to the good old days.
During her campaign speech in front of the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) flags on Sunday, Ms Tutut said Suharto wished that Indonesia could return to its golden era when people were prosperous and "justice belonged to all".
Ms Tutut, who is probably the most likeable of Suharto's six children, is seizing on the people's growing distrust of the reformists, whom most see as failures who did not make good their promises made in the 1999 general election.
"Pak Harto wishes that all Indonesian people can have a house, can send their children to school and can practise their religion peacefully," said Ms Tutut, who hopes to be PKPB's candidate for the July 5 direct presidential election.
Suharto's son-in-law, retired Lieutenant-General Prabowo Subianto, is also seeking the presidency despite his alleged role in the kidnapping of pro-democracy activists.
Lt-Gen Prabowo yesterday launched his campaign for the nomination of the Golkar party, which backed Suharto's 32-year rule and is the main challenger to President Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle in the parliamentary elections on April 5.
Lt-Gen Prabowo commanded the Kopassus special forces in 1997 and 1998 when more than 20 pro-democracy activists went missing. Some have never been found. He denied he was involved. "I feel I'm not guilty," he said.
He said he has a "calling" to seek the presidency and save the economy from foreign control that had turned it into a "coolie nation".
Suharto resigned in May 1998 amid massive civil unrest. A government inquiry had pointed to the possible involvement of an army unit headed by Lt-Gen Prabowo in the May 1998 riots that left more than 1,000 dead.