Farewell Pak Harto, Father of Development (1921-2008)

The former Indonesian President Suharto died on Sunday, January 27, 2008 after battling several organ failure. He is the man who ruled the world’s most populous Muslim country for 32 years. His body made a final journey in a Hercules C-130 military aircraft to Solo, laid to rest next to his late wife Ibu Tien, who died in 1996. The country has announced a week of mourning.

The former ruler was marked with by allegations of corruption, rights abuses and lack of democracy. He stepped down in May 1998 following a pro-democracy uprising. The crowds who suffered under his rule and accused him for power and human rights abuse were disappointed that they failed to bring him to trial.

Tho I'm not much interested nor understand about political issue, I am very much ashamed of my own people . Whereas other countries showed big heart and sympathy like Mr.Lee Kuan Yew, a close friend and comrades, showed moist eyes when he spoke to Singapore media about the fate of Pak Harto. He expressed that “Mr.Suharto had not been given the due recognition he deserved. His contribution to Indonesia was too enormous to be forgotten, or to be trifled with.” I couldn't be much agree that Pak Harto definitely brought development to his country. No one can deny that.

It is a tragedy that we as the children forget of our parent, forget the one who fed us, forget the one who brought us up. We are being “too harsh and ungrateful to the man who, on balance had done more good than harm to his country. We should have honor those who have done good and clearly Pak Harto deserves this.”

Farewell Father, my prayer is with you.