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Soeharto’s children issue apology after MPR removes his name from graft decree
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People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo of the Golkar Party talks with attendees of a discussion about the four pillars of the assembly at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta on May 29, 2024. (Antara/Galih Pradipta)
T
he children of former president Soeharto have offered an apology for his past mistakes, in a gesture made after a controversial People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) decision to remove his name from a decree on corruption, a decision that triggered concerns over attempts to absolve the authoritarian leader of past crimes.
On Saturday, the MPR invited Soeharto’s family, represented by his two daughters, Siti “Tutut” Hardijanti Rukmana and Siti “Titiek” Hediati Hariyadi, to receive a document that removed Soeharto’s name from MPR Decree No. 11/1998.
The decree, issued right after the downfall of Soeharto’s New Order regime, mandated firm and fair eradication measures for corruption, collusion and nepotism against everyone, from former and current public officials to their cronies and conglomerates. It previously contained the phrase “including former president Soeharto”.
In her remarks during the letter handover ceremony, Titiek apologized to the public on behalf of Soeharto and his family.
“Throughout his time leading the country, there are things that do not sit well with the hearts of the people. For that, we would like to apologize. But, we must not forget all the good things he did while leading this country for 32 years,” Titiek said, as quoted from a news clip.
She did not elaborate on the specifics of what she was apologizing for, but went on to list some of Soeharto’s policies, such as the development of integrated health services posts (Posyandu) and state elementary schools (SD Inpres) throughout the country.
“Don’t let these [policies] be erased just because there are people who don’t like him, since these [policies] have proven to be useful for the country,” said Titiek, who is a Gerindra Party politician.\
