SUHARTO CHILDREN IN POLITICS

The children of Indonesia’s former dictator Suharto are staging a political comeback after more than a decade in the wilderness. Suharto’s son Hutomo Mandala Putra, popularly known as Tommy, and daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, alias Tutut, have thrown their hats into the ring as rivals to head the once-dominant Golkar Party. Tommy, who is also vying to become Indonesia’s president, according to aides, in particular faces an uphill battle to revive his fortunes. He was released from prison in 2006 after serving four years of a 15-year term for ordering the murder of a Supreme Court judge who had convicted him of corruption. Tommy, 47, continues to face down corruption cases stemming from his time as favoured son in the Suharto’s 32-year rule. Officially launching his candidacy for the Golkar chairmanship, Tommy struck a populist tone against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was re-elected to a second five-year term earlier this year by a landslide. Tommy promised free education and healthcare.