President of Indonesia. He was born in Kemusuk, central Java (now part of Indonesia's Yogyakarta state) when it was part of the Dutch East Indies, and attended a Dutch military school, afterwards enlisting in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. During World War II, the Dutch surrender led Suharto to join the Japanese occupation, first in the police, and later the militia. The postwar years saw the rise of Indonesia's nationalist movement and eventual independence, and Suharto joined the country's new army, rising through the ranks to become its head in the 1960s. In 1966 he seized power from Sukarno, Indonesia's first President, and became President in 1967. Suharto received support from Western nations who regarded him as anti-Communist, and he took steps to modernize Indonesia. His suppression of dissent and alleged corruption led to increased unrest, and he resigned in 1998, shortly after winning unopposed reelection to a seventh term. Estimates of the foreign aid and state funds he embezzled range from $15 to $35 billion, but failing health and official recognition of his role in Indonesia's growth and modernization prevented his prosecution.
President of Indonesia. He was born in Kemusuk, central Java (now part of Indonesia's Yogyakarta state) when it was part of the Dutch East Indies, and attended a Dutch military school, afterwards enlisting in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. During World War II, the Dutch surrender led Suharto to join the Japanese occupation, first in the police, and later the militia. The postwar years saw the rise of Indonesia's nationalist movement and eventual independence, and Suharto joined the country's new army, rising through the ranks to become its head in the 1960s. In 1966 he seized power from Sukarno, Indonesia's first President, and became President in 1967. Suharto received support from Western nations who regarded him as anti-Communist, and he took steps to modernize Indonesia. His suppression of dissent and alleged corruption led to increased unrest, and he resigned in 1998, shortly after winning unopposed reelection to a seventh term. Estimates of the foreign aid and state funds he embezzled range from $15 to $35 billion, but failing health and official recognition of his role in Indonesia's growth and modernization prevented his prosecution.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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