Soeharto celebrates 84th birthday

Far from the public eye, former president Soeharto celebrated his 84th birthday at his residence in the upmarket area of Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Appearing healthy, Soeharto received congratulations from a number of former government officials, including former sports and youth minister Abdul Gafur, and former independence fighter Roeslan Abdul Gani.

The former ruler wore a white long-sleeve shirt, dark pants and a Muslim cap as he greeted well-wishers with a smile.

Bouquets of flowers sent by companies and individuals were set up near the front door of the house.

A lawyer for the former president, Juan Felix Tampubolon, said Soeharto remained seated while receiving his guests.

Soeharto made national and international headlines when he fell ill and was rushed to Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta with intestinal bleeding early last month. He was discharged from the hospital after two weeks.

The longtime former ruler has suffered two minor strokes that caused some brain damage and impaired his ability to communicate, preventing him from standing trial for alleged corruption while in office.

To mark Soeharto's birthday, dozens of students from the University of Indonesia Student Alliance rallied at the office of the Corruption Eradication Commission in Jakarta (photo above), urging the antigraft body to investigate Soeharto. -- Antara