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Questions about Suharto

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Suharto born and where did he grow up?

Suharto was born on the 8th of June 1921 in the hamlet of Kemusuk west of Yogyakarta within the Dutch East Indies. He lived with his parents until age three before moving between relatives and eventually returning to his mother who had remarried a farmer.

How did Suharto take power during the events of October 1965?

Suharto mobilized special forces to seize control of Merdeka Square and captured key sites including the radio station without resistance after hearing about the killings of six army generals. By the 2nd of October 1965 soldiers occupied the airbase following short fighting which established the foundation for decades of authoritarian rule under his command.

What economic policies did Suharto implement to reduce inflation?

Suharto appointed an economic advisory group known as the Berkeley Mafia consisting mostly of US-educated intellectuals from the University of Indonesia to implement free market policies. Inflation dropped from 660% in 1966 to 19% in 1969 after cutting subsidies and reforming exchange rates while foreign investment entered through the 1967 Foreign Investment Law.

Why did Suharto authorize the invasion of East Timor on December 7th 1975?

Suharto authorized an invasion of East Timor on the 7th of December 1975 followed by annexation as Indonesia's twenty-seventh province in July 1976. An estimated minimum of 90,800 and maximum of 213,600 conflict-related deaths occurred during Indonesian rule between 1974 and 1999 with seventy percent of violent deaths directly caused by Indonesian forces.

How much wealth did Suharto accumulate before his resignation in May 1998?

In 1997 Forbes listed Suharto as the fourth richest person globally with an individual net worth of $16 billion despite drawing only $21,000 annually. Estimates suggest total wealth amassed over three decades reached $73.24 billion derived primarily from grabbing oil gas mining resources or state corporations.

When did Suharto resign and what events led to his departure from power?

On the 21st of May 1998 Suharto announced his resignation allowing vice-president Habibie to assume presidency according to constitutional procedures after security forces killed four demonstrators from Jakarta's Trisakti University on the 12th of May 1998. Tens of thousands of university students demanded his resignation on the 16th of May occupying parliament grounds and roofs while political allies deserted him refusing to join proposed new cabinets.

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