SUHARTO BURIED IN STATE FUNERAL
BBC News Online - January 28, 2008 Suharto's flag-covered coffin was flown to Solo for the funeral |
Former Indonesian President Suharto, who died on Sunday at the age of 86, has been buried in a state funeral.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono oversaw the ceremony at the Suharto family mausoleum near the city of Solo.
Suharto, who ruled Indonesia for more than three decades, was credited with leading his country from poverty to relative development.
But he was dogged by allegations of corruption, political repression and serious human rights abuses.
Thousands of suspected communists were killed as he rose to power in the 1960s.
He was ousted by mass protests in 1998 and in recent years suffered from poor health - one of the reasons why he never faced trial.
Leader's tribute
Early on Monday, the former leader's body was flown from the capital, Jakarta, to Solo in central Java.
Soldiers carried his flagged-draped coffin from his residence to a white hearse.
Thousands of people lined streets in both cities to watch the funeral procession pass by.
Mr Yudhoyono began the ceremony at the Suharto family mausoleum, north-east of Solo, just after noon (0500GMT).
"We offer his body and his deeds to the motherland," he said. "His service is an example to us."
Prayers were said and mourners threw flower petals into Suharto's grave.
The former president was laid to rest next to his wife Tien, who died in 1996.
Leaders from around the region attended the ceremony, including Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of East Timor, which was annexed and occupied under Suharto before gaining independence in 2002.
Suharto was rushed to hospital on 4 January suffering from various heart, lung and kidney problems.
On Sunday he slipped into a coma and died at 1310 (0610 GMT), surrounded by his six children.
Reaction to his death has reflected his mixed legacy, correspondents say.
The US ambassador to Jakarta, Cameron Hume, hailed Suharto as a "historic figure" who "achieved remarkable economic development", while adding that there "may be some controversy over his legacy".
Malaysia's former leader, Mahathir Mohamad, said he had regarded Suharto as "a great leader and... an international statesman", a friend of Malaysia and a personal friend.
Source: BBC News Online - news.bbc.co.uk