Jakarta – Despite corruption charges and allegations of human rights abuses during his three-decade rule, former president Soeharto received a string of courtesy calls Saturday, the first day of Idul Fitri, from prominent current and former state officials.
Among those visiting the former strongman were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso, National Resilience Institute Governor Muladi, Regional Representatives Council Deputy Speaker Mooryati Sudibyo and Industry Minister Fahmi Idris.
Also calling on Soeharto at his residence on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta was the chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction at the House of Representatives, Tjahyo Kumolo, Golkar Party legislator Yuddy Chrisnandi, Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshiddiqie and Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basuni.
Former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso and current governor Fauzi Bowo were also among well-wishers.
Former New Order officials such as former finance minister JB Sumarlin, former religious affairs minister Tarmizi Taher, former transportation minister Agum Gumelar, former foreign minister Ali Alatas and the former commander of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command, Lt. Gen. (Ret) Prabowo Subianto, who is also Soeharto's former son-in-law, also paid visits.
Top businessmen such as Mohammad "Bob" Hasan and Setiawan Djodi and Indonesia's top badminton player, Taufik Hidayat, also visited Soeharto. Most of Soeharto's children were present for the gathering.
Indonesia's fourth president, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, paid an Idul Fitri visit to Soeharto. Gus Dur dismissed the suggestion he had come to discuss political matters with Soeharto. "I only came to greet him and as far as I am concerned, he is just fine," he told detik.com newsportal.
Another prominent guest was State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Hatta Swasono. Meutia said she was deeply touched because Soeharto called her by name during the gathering. "I didn't expect him to remember me by name, but it turned out that he did. It touched me deeply in the heart," she said.
Meutia has long been acquainted with Soeharto, who held several important posts in the military when Muhammad Hatta, Meutia's father, was the country's vice president. Meutia described Soeharto as in good condition, saying he did not use a wheelchair during the gathering.
Last year, then attorney general Abdulrahman Saleh issued a letter ordering a halt to all investigations into corruption charges involving Soeharto, after receiving a medical report that the former president had permanent brain damage as a result of a series of small strokes he reportedly suffered.
The damage, according to the medical report, would prevent Soeharto from remembering anything connected to the cases or actively participating in his defense.
The Attorney General's Office is pursuing a civil suit against Soeharto's Supersemar Foundation over the alleged misappropriation of state funds.