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Reform ‘not successful’, Soeharto era ‘even better’: Titiek Soeharto
House of Representatives member Siti Hediati Herijadi or Titiek Soeharto, the second daughter of late former president Soeharto, has said the reform movement, which began after the downfall of his father leadership in 1998, has not been running successfully.
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In memory: Two daughters of late former president Soeharto, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, orTitiek Soeharto (left), and Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih, or Mamiek Soeharto (right), attend the 51st anniversary of Supersemar at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta, on Sunday. (Antara/Ubaidillah)
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ouse of Representatives member Siti Hediati Herijadi, or Titiek Soeharto, the second daughter of late former president Soeharto, has said the reform movement, which began after the downfall of his father's leadership in 1998, has not been running successfully.
Speaking on the 51st anniversary of Supersemar on Sunday, Titik claimed Indonesia had not improved significantly even in 20 years after the New Order era ended.
Supersemar, an abbreviation of Surat Perintah 11 Maret (the Order of March the 11th), is a document signed by former president Soekarno in 1966, through which he gave authority to Soeharto to take necessary steps to recover social and political conditions after the failed pro-communist coup in1965.
“The Soeharto era was more comfortable, right? It guaranteed its people a supply of food and employment,” she said as quoted by Tempo.
“Our country’s history has proven Soeharto’s good deeds and kindness throughout 32 years of his era. A lot of people are still missing and praying for him.”
Experts perceived her statement as a clear sign of the revival of the Soeharto family clan in the country’s politics.
Centre for Strategic of International Studies (CSIS) political researcher J. Kristiadi said on Monday the statement from Parsindo Party secretary-general Ahmad Hadari, who endorsed Soeharto’s youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra, to be a candidate in the 2019 presidential election, gave another clear signal of the revival.
Such a situation occurred because democracy in Indonesia did not run as expected. “Democratic institutions have failed to win the public’s trust,” Kristiadi said. (sha/ebf)
