21. What military leader took power after the downfall of Indonesia's first president? He ruled Indonesia from 1967 until 1998.
From Quiz Indonesian Leaders
Answer:
General Suharto
Suharto was a major general who took control after the failed September 30 (1965) movement, being named as president in 1967. He did not allow opposition or viable political parties under his rule, and elections were not regarded as free. Under the "new order", Suharto developed close ties with the US and western nations and was a strong opponent of communism, although officially he maintained that Indonesia was a neutral "non-blok" (non-aligned) nation. Economic development and education grew at an accelerated rate under his rule, and the standard of living for most Indonesians rose dramatically, despite a lack of political freedom.
Over time, Suharto's family and friends came to control much of the economy, and corruption flourished as the economy grew. In May 1998, in the midst of the Asian Economic Crisis, an attempt to raise fuel prices led to widespread anti-government demonstrations. The government attempted to crack down, partly by trying to divert anger towards the ethnic Chinese community. Demonstrations continued, gaining fuel when security forces killed four students on a university campus. On May 21, 1998, President Suharto resigned. Suharto is credited for the great strides in development in Indonesia during his 30+ years in power, but his legacy is tainted by the memories of corruption, cronyism and nepotism, and the lack of political freedom during his reign. Suharto passed away on January 4, 2008.