Malaysia's Mahathir defends Suharto's legacy

Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad on Sunday defended the legacy of one-time Indonesian strongman Suharto and described him as a "great leader and an international statesman".

Mahathir, a contemporary of Suharto during their long terms in power, told the Malaysian state Bernama news agency that accounts the former Indonesian leader killed some 500,000 people after taking power in 1965 were "absolute nonsense".

Suharto died Sunday aged 86 of multiple organ failure having ruled with an iron fist for 32 years.
"I know this for a fact. I knew what happened. Indonesia was in a state of anarchy then and he has no authority. At the time of the killings, he was not even the president. He did not order the killing," Mahathir said.

Mahathir, who ruled for two decades before stepping down in 2003, said he regarded Suharto as a friend of Malaysia and a personal friend.

"We looked up to him as a great leader and as an international statesman. For me, it's quite personal. I know him and I have worked with him for a very long time," he said.
Mahathir, 82, credited Suharto for his role in the economic development of Indonesia.
"Even though Indonesia was not an ideal democracy during Suharto's time, the fact remained that he brought stability to Indonesia," he said.

"Of course, there is a price to be paid," Bernama quoted him as saying, acknowledging that some people had suffered under Suharto's administration.

Mahathir visited the former Indonesian president earlier this month as he fought for his life in hospital, but he said that the two men had not been able to speak.
"I think he did notice me," he said.

Mahathir is to attend Suharto's funeral along with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will not attend.

Abdullah extended his condolences to Suharto's family and the Indonesian people, and paid tribute to the former leader for helping strengthen ties between the two countries.
"The relations have yielded immense benefits to both countries. We pray to Allah to bless Pak Harto's soul and to place him among the blessed," he said according to Bernama, using the veteran leader's popular nickname.

Agence France-Presse - 1/27/2008 2:02 PM