M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta – If President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s favorite soap opera show is “Judgement Day is Nigh”, what is former President Suharto’s favorite television show? Apparently Suharto isn’t very interested in soap opera. In his twilight years he prefers the quiz show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”.
Suharto never misses the quiz show hosted by Tantowi Yahya and broadcast by RCTI every Saturday night at 8pm that offers its viewers the chance to win 1 billion rupiah.
Information that Suharto likes to watch the quiz show was revealed to journalists by one of his grandchildren, Gendis Siti Hatmanti (23), during a break in the distribution of basic food at the Al Ikhwan Mosque in Petamburan VI, Central Jakarta on Tuesday October 25. The daughter of Bambang and Halimah Trihatmodjo was relating stories about her grandfather, Suharto.
Hatmanti admitted to often spending time with her grandfather, especially on Saturday nights. When asked by journalists whether Suharto talks about the difficulties facing the people at the moment, Hatmanti admitted they had never discussed such things.
According to Hatmanti, she and her grandfather never talk politics, rather what they do is enjoy entertainment together such as watching television. “I never talk politics with grandfather. I just watch TV with him. Grandfather often watches ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire”. That’s his favorite show”, said Hatmanti.
There is of course no end to the stories about the longest serving former Indonesian leader. Indeed even the smallest things about Suharto attract comment. Moreover, so far Suharto has still not been touched by the law in relation to suspected past corruption cases. Law enforcement agencies do not have the courage to try Suharto because the great general suffers from permanent ill health.
But it is appropriate indeed to question Suharto’s state of health. Especially since several days ago he appeared fit and strong when he brought flowers to place on the grave of his wife, Mrs. Tien Suharto and the graves of his family in Yogyakarta. (asy)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
