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Suharto
President of Indonesia (1967-1998)
Dictator Who Oversaw Mass Killings of 500,000-1,000,000 People
Overview
General Suharto seized power in Indonesia through the anti-communist purge of 1965-66 that killed between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people. He ruled as authoritarian president for 31 years, during which he ordered the invasion and occupation of East Timor (killing 100,000-180,000), suppressed West Papuan independence, and presided over a kleptocratic regime that stole an estimated $15-35 billion.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Orchestrated the 1965-66 anti-communist purge that killed 500,000-1,000,000 people including ethnic Chinese
CIA provided lists of PKI members to Indonesian military for targeted killings
Ordered the 1975 invasion and occupation of East Timor causing 100,000-180,000 deaths (one-third of population)
Santa Cruz massacre (1991) - Indonesian troops killed 250+ unarmed East Timorese protesters
Suppressed West Papuan independence movement with military operations killing tens of thousands
Stole an estimated $15-35 billion - ranked by Transparency International as most corrupt leader in modern history
Trisakti shootings (1998) - security forces killed 4 students during protests that led to his resignation
May 1998 riots targeted ethnic Chinese civilians - over 1,000 killed, mass sexual violence
Related Investigations (3)
Criminal Charges & Violations
4 documented violations
Indonesian Criminal Code - Mass MurderDirected anti-communist purge killing 500,000-1,000,000 people in 1965-66(Mass Murder)
Geneva Conventions - War Crimes (East Timor)Invasion and occupation of East Timor causing 100,000-180,000 civilian deaths(War Crimes)
UN Convention Against CorruptionSystematic theft of $15-35 billion from Indonesian state(Grand Corruption)
Crime Against Humanity - ExterminationOrganized mass killing of communists and ethnic Chinese(Crimes Against Humanity)
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- 1921-06-08
- Birthplace
- Kemusuk, Java, Dutch East Indies
- Also Known As
- The Smiling General, Father of Development (Bapak Pembangunan)
Education
- •Dutch-era military academy
- •Indonesian Army officer training
Key Timeline
1921-06-08
Born in Kemusuk, Java, Dutch East Indies
1965-10-01
30 September Movement; Suharto seizes military control
1965-10
Anti-communist purge begins; 500,000-1,000,000 killed over following months
1967-03-12
Formally becomes President of Indonesia
1975-12-07
Orders invasion of East Timor (Operation Seroja)
1991-11-12
Santa Cruz massacre in East Timor kills 250+ unarmed protesters
1998-05-12
Trisakti shootings kill 4 students during pro-democracy protests
1998-05-21
Resigns as president after 31 years
2008-01-27
Dies without facing trial for any crimes