Suharto Affected By Minor Stroke In Memory Of Today, 19 July 1999

Former President Suharto while being treated at the hospital and accompanied by his children, in a photo that does not mention the date and year. (tututsoeharto.id)

JAKARTA – In memory today, 23 years ago, July 19, 1999, former Indonesian President Suharto suffered a mild stroke. He was rushed to the Pertamina Central Hospital (RSPP), South Jakarta. The Cendana family flocked to the hospital. Likewise other officials.

The incident brought deep sorrow to all Indonesian people. Moreover, Suharto had a stroke exactly a year after he stepped down. Wreaths of flowers also flooded RSPP.

Suharto's leadership as Indonesia's number one was full of twists and turns. The military was used as a tool of power during the New Order (Orba) government. All who opposed him were excommunicated. Those who feel in line with Suharto are supported. Therefore, there is no room for criticism.

Even if forced to give criticism, of course there are consequences. From prison to ban. This condition was exacerbated by a series of children-in-law (known as the Cendana Family) who entered the business by taking advantage of Suharto's popularity. Nothing is impossible for the Sandalwood Family. There is also no one who refuses if they want to perpetuate the business in all fields.

Some Indonesians were furious. Economic review 1997-1998 peak. Indonesia's economic growth is less significant – if you don't want to say minus. The government was forced to perpetuate foreign debt. In fact the solution is not enough to help. The economic recession had a big impact. The foundations of the economy crumbled. Dozens of banks collapsed, thousands of companies collapsed, and millions of workers lost their livelihoods.

Cover of Time Magazine in February 1998 before the fall of Suharto. (Special)

However, the political elite – including the Cendana Family – is considered less sensitive. As a result, the Indonesian people resisted. Demonstrations everywhere. In fact, the fervor of the demonstration made Suharto step down from his position as Indonesia's number one person.

“Student demonstrations are getting more and more rampant. As usual overcome with repressive measures. The most fatal repressive action occurred on May 12, 1998, in which four Trisakti students were killed and dozens injured during a bloody demonstration in Grogol area, West Jakarta. This situation then contributed to the occurrence of various riots in Jakarta on 13-14 May 1998.”

"The government seems helpless. The students acted by occupying the DPR-MPR Building with the aim of bringing down President Soeharto. Only nine days after a series of tense and terrible events in Jakarta and various other cities, Suharto finally stepped down on May 21, 1998. Habibie was appointed to replace him as a transitional period, “said M. Umar Syadat Hasibuan in the book Political Revolution for Young People (2008) .

Orba fell. The era of reformation is underway. Since then, Suharto is far from the political map of Indonesia. There was no news for a long time, Suharto actually brought the news that he was sick. Exactly a year after Suharto stepped down, he had a minor stroke.

2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto. (Between)

The illness made Suharto rushed to the RSPP. He was also accompanied by the Cendana Family. From children, daughters-in-law, to grandchildren. News of Suharto's illness made the political elite grieve. Likewise the Indonesian people. The hospital where Suharto was treated was then flooded with bouquets of flowers.

"He was rushed to the Pertamina RSPP Central Hospital. The number one person in Indonesia is undergoing treatment in V'VIP room 604 on the sixth floor of Building B RSPP. Several bouquets of flowers arrived. The start of the mild stroke occurred in the morning, around 10.30. Suddenly he felt pain around the neck and back of the shoulder. "

"Around 10.30, Suharto was immediately taken by ambulance, which was available at his residence, to the RSPP. Suharto's allegation of having a mild stroke was also reinforced by Prof. Dr. Feik Heyder from Semarang. Heyder confirmed that the doctors who treated former President Suharto at the RSSP contacted him in Semarang to participate in monitoring," concluded Femi Adi Soempeno in his book Prabowo Titisan Suharto? (2008).