Candra Malik, Solo – The family of late former Indonesian dictator Suharto gathered at his grave in Karanganyar, Central Java, on Monday to mark the 1000th day since his death.

The commemoration was marked with a traditional ceremony called 'bedhah bumi' ('to open the earth'), a Javanese ritual where one's grave is rebuilt and a permanent tombstone is installed. Three of Soeharto's children, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana (Tutut), Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy) and Siti Hutami Adiningsih (Mamiek). A number of local officials, including Karanganyar District Head Rina Iriani attended the event.

Suharto, who died in January 2008, ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 32 years, but was credited with bringing significant development and wealth to the country.

His authoritarian New Order regime has also been accused of numerous human rights abuses and corruption on a massive scale. Suharto's wife, Siti Hartinah, better known as Tien Suharto, died in 1996.

In June, Rina Iriani said the local government would cooperate with the former first family to develop the Suharto cemetery complex into an international tourist destination. The plan was confirmed by Tommy, who said he had signed off on the plan and would also develop a hotel in the area.

"I will build a hotel so that visitors do not have difficulty finding accommodation," Tommy said at the Lor In Hotel in Solo, which he owns. "They can stay longer there and not have to go back and forth to Solo because they are staying at our hotel."