Soeharto greets birthday in different atmosphere

JAKARTA (JP): Soeharto once told B.J. Habibie that it was lonely at the top. The former president who turns 77 today may be finding life can be even lonelier at the bottom.

Less than a month ago, 202 million Indonesian people called him president, but now only his trained parrot at home -- screeching "Good morning Bapak president" -- does.

For the first time in 32 years, Soeharto greets his birthday in a totally different atmosphere.

Many people, from tycoons to Cabinet ministers and other people with vested interests, often ignored Soeharto's often- voiced complaint that he preferred to celebrate his birthday with only his six children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild at his private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

But some people found one way or another to be around when the Soeharto clan gathered for his birthday celebration.

Now, "Since he quit as president on May 21, only a few people still sincerely want to meet him. It's because closeness to Pak Harto, which often meant rewarding careers or lucrative business deals in the past, has become a headache in this reform era," complained an official, who has worked with Soeharto since the 1970s, Saturday.

Since Soeharto's retirement, the former first family has faced mounting pressure to hand over its wealth to the state. Some opposition figures have demanded that Soeharto be tried for alleged abuses of power.

Soeharto now spends most of his time at home, reading newspapers and watching TV. Palace officials claim he is very healthy and relaxed as he is able to spend more time with his grandchildren.

But he is also disappointed over charges that he amassed his wealth illegally. He plans to hold a news conference tomorrow to counter the allegations.

Presidential security guards, including adjutants with the rank of colonel, still work for him around the clock, although their number will be gradually reduced.

"However, as he is no longer president, they do not give him a military salute anymore. But Bapak is very happy with his new status as an ordinary citizen," said an official.

As a president, Soeharto was exempt from traffic regulations. His driver once joked that he missed Jakarta's traffic jams.

"But now, his car has to stop at red lights," said the official.

Soeharto performed his last official duty as president of a foreign country in May, when he visited Egypt. President Hosni Mubarak acted the perfect host to Soeharto, and saw him off on May 14 at Cairo airport.

When Soeharto replaced Sukarno in 1967, the country's economy was on the brink of bankruptcy and prices were skyrocketing. He led the nation to a better economy, where the gross national product (GNP) was more than US$1,100 up to July last year.

But he stepped down when the economy was dying.

"Our GNP now is no more than $300," said chairman of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie on Friday. (prb)