Soeharto greets birthday in different atmosphere<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Soeharto once told B.J. Habibie that it was
\nlonely at the top. The former president who turns 77 today may be
\nfinding life can be even lonelier at the bottom.<\/p>\n
Less than a month ago, 202 million Indonesian people called
\nhim president, but now only his trained parrot at home --
\nscreeching "Good morning Bapak president" -- does.<\/p>\n
For the first time in 32 years, Soeharto greets his birthday
\nin a totally different atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Many people, from tycoons to Cabinet ministers and other
\npeople with vested interests, often ignored Soeharto's often-
\nvoiced complaint that he preferred to celebrate his birthday with
\nonly his six children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild
\nat his private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
But some people found one way or another to be around when the
\nSoeharto clan gathered for his birthday celebration.<\/p>\n
Now, "Since he quit as president on May 21, only a few people
\nstill sincerely want to meet him. It's because closeness to Pak
\nHarto, which often meant rewarding careers or lucrative business
\ndeals in the past, has become a headache in this reform era,"
\ncomplained an official, who has worked with Soeharto since the
\n1970s, Saturday.<\/p>\n
Since Soeharto's retirement, the former first family has faced
\nmounting pressure to hand over its wealth to the state. Some
\nopposition figures have demanded that Soeharto be tried for
\nalleged abuses of power.<\/p>\n
Soeharto now spends most of his time at home, reading
\nnewspapers and watching TV. Palace officials claim he is very
\nhealthy and relaxed as he is able to spend more time with his
\ngrandchildren.<\/p>\n
But he is also disappointed over charges that he amassed his
\nwealth illegally. He plans to hold a news conference tomorrow to
\ncounter the allegations.<\/p>\n
Presidential security guards, including adjutants with the
\nrank of colonel, still work for him around the clock, although
\ntheir number will be gradually reduced.<\/p>\n
"However, as he is no longer president, they do not give him a
\nmilitary salute anymore. But Bapak is very happy with his new
\nstatus as an ordinary citizen," said an official.<\/p>\n
As a president, Soeharto was exempt from traffic regulations.
\nHis driver once joked that he missed Jakarta's traffic jams.<\/p>\n
"But now, his car has to stop at red lights," said the
\nofficial.<\/p>\n
Soeharto performed his last official duty as president of a
\nforeign country in May, when he visited Egypt. President Hosni
\nMubarak acted the perfect host to Soeharto, and saw him off on
\nMay 14 at Cairo airport.<\/p>\n
When Soeharto replaced Sukarno in 1967, the country's economy
\nwas on the brink of bankruptcy and prices were skyrocketing. He
\nled the nation to a better economy, where the gross national
\nproduct (GNP) was more than US$1,100 up to July last year.<\/p>\n
But he stepped down when the economy was dying.<\/p>\n
"Our GNP now is no more than $300," said chairman of
\nIndonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie on
\nFriday. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-greets-birthday-in-different-atmosphere-1447893297",
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