Suharto

Suharto or Soeharto (both: sOOhär'tō) [key], 1921–2008, president of Indonesia (1967–98). A veteran of the war for independence (1945–49) against the Dutch, he became army chief of staff in 1965. He opposed the pro-Chinese policies of President Sukarno and, while still relatively unknown, crushed a Communist coup in 1965 and then moved to replace Sukarno. Suharto assumed key civilian cabinet offices in 1966, became acting president in 1967, and assumed the office of supreme commander of the army and was elected president in 1968. He was reelected every five years from 1973 to 1998. Under Suharto, Indonesia gradually recovered from the economic morass into which it had fallen under Sukarno, achieving economic growth and political stability. Dissent was suppressed, however, in the name of consensus, and Suharto and his family used their power to enrich themselves and their friends. Economic instability and popular discontent with his rule forced Suharto's resignation in 1998, and subsequently a government corruption investigation was instituted, and Suharto was placed under house arrest in 2000 and later charged with corruption. The charges were dismissed, however, for health reasons.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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