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Farewell to Asia’s greatest kleptocrat

Wednesday, 30th January 2008

Eric Ellis says the death of Indonesia’s former dictator may spur attempts to recover the loot accumulated by his family

The strangest moment of the elongated théâtre de mort of the billionaire Indonesian dictator Suharto came islands apart on the day after the old crook died.

In Central Java, the remains of the despot the United Nations last year declared to be the 20th century’s biggest thief were interred in his family’s crypt in a funeral that blended Javanese mysticism with the pomp of state. Indonesia’s elite attended in mourning dress, uniform or ceremonial sarong. Foreign ambassadors and head of state bowed in reverence, following the hypocritical lead set by Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew: the Asian statesman acclaimed for his aversion to corruption had earlier rushed to honour his dying neighbour, who stole more than $1 billion for each of his 32 years in power of one of the world’s poorest countries. New Zealand’s doughty Helen Clark stood apart, staying home and refusing to sign a condolence book.

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