Rahel Narda Chaterine, Jakarta – The extended family of the late Suharto held a commemoration marking 100 years since Indonesia's second president's birth.
Aside from Suharto's extended family, also attending the event in person was Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.
In addition to the physical event, it was also held virtually by being broadcast on the Cendana TV YouTube channel on Tuesday June 8.
"The respected Bapak [Mr] Prabowo Subianto, Bapak Bambang Soesatyo whom we respect, Bapak Anies Baswedan whom we respect", said the master of ceremonies in welcoming the guests to the event as shown on Cendana TV.
Suharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana or Tutut Soeharto took the opportunity to express her thanks to all those who attended to pray for her late father.
"Allow me to speak on behalf of the Bapak Haji Muhammad Suharto's extended family in conveying our thanks to all those wherever they may be who to this day continue to pray for and recite prayers for our beloved father and mother including at this opportunity to pray today [marking] one century [since his birth]", said Rukmana in her greetings.
Indonesia's second president, whose full name is Haji Muhammad Soeharto, was born in 1921 at the Kemusuk hamlet in the village of Argomulyo, Sedayu, Bantul, Yogyakarta province.
He died on January 27, 2008 after being treated for 23 days at the Pertamina Central Hospital in South Jakarta. He was suffering from multiple organ failures.
Suharto, who held the office of Indonesian president for 32 years, is buried at the Astana Giribangun which is located on the western slope of Lawu Mountain in Matesih sub-district, Karanganyar regency, Central Java.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Prabowo Subianto hingga Anies Baswedan Hadiri Peringatan 100 Tahun Soeharto".]
