Soeharto to cast vote on April 5

JAKARTA: Former president Soeharto plans to vote in the general election on April 5 at a polling station near his residence on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta, his elder brother Probosutedjo said on Saturday.

Probosutedjo said that as a good citizen, the former New Order strongman wanted to use his right to vote, adding that Soeharto hoped the 2004 elections would be successful.

After 32 years in power, Soeharto was forced to step down in May 1998 following nationwide unrest and student demonstrations demanding political reform.

Soeharto has been accused of abusing his power in connection with a number of foundations he set up during his rule, but the court ruled that he could not be prosecuted because of poor health.

Asked what party the former president would vote for, Probosutedjo said he did not know but that the former ruler was likely to punch the symbol of the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB).

The PKPB is led by Soeharto loyalist R. Hartono, a former Army chief of staff and information minister during the New Order.

The party has also tipped Soeharto's daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, or Tutut, as its presidential candidate. -- Antara