Mark Forbes, Jakarta – Attempts to rehabilitate the reputation of the former Indonesian dictator Soeharto and his family have suffered a further blow, with a botched effort by his ambitious daughter to host nationwide World Cup coverage.

The broadcaster SCTV stood Titiek Soeharto down after a storm of protest from soccer fans and claims from Indonesia's Broadcasting Commission her appearance was "politically charged". Debate is still raging over whether Soeharto should be prosecuted for corruption and there are rumours his daughter wants to enter politics.

The row flared as a Jakarta judge ruled the Government had illegally dropped graft charges against Soeharto last month.

Demonstrators and human rights groups are calling for action against several "foundations" established by the former president, which have siphoned off billions in public money.

Soeharto's family developed a vast empire of business interests on the back of favouritism during his rule. Titiek is a director of the company that has a controlling interest in SCTV. Her surprise appearance last Friday as the key host of the World Cup broadcasts, believed to be Indonesia's highest-rating telecasts, came despite a lack of television experience and little knowledge of soccer. Titiek's wooden performance was roundly criticised.

"Technically speaking, she is not someone who knows a lot about soccer," said a member of the Broadcasting Commission, Ade Armando. "Politically, she is not known as a clean figure and physically she is not very attractive to lure viewers."

Mr Armando told The Jakarta Post her appearance could be seen as part of a PR campaign by the Soeharto family. Last week, SCTV ran a lengthy feature about Titiek handing out cash to refugees fleeing Mount Merapi's eruption and last month's quake, asking people to forgive her ailing father. SCTV admitted it had received "hundreds" of complaints.