The last we heard, the man in our thoughts for the past 42 years and, no doubt, for another umpteen, was still clinging on.
There has been much media coverage of his hospitalisation. Many say it's been too much when there are more immediate concerns such as the shortfall in the rice harvest and an abundance of floods in Java. Several commentators feel that sections of the media are being manipulated by Suharto's cronies and family members in order to evoke sympathy for his pitiful condition, thus creating a smokescreen avoiding memories of genocidal atrocities and massive corruption.
My good friend Derek Bacon, original author of Culture Shock! Jakarta, has spent the past 10 or so years forging a reputation as a graphic artist with commissions from such august publications as The Economist and children's book author Susan Ring.
The picture below was created a few years back on another occasion when Mr. S. was chatting up the nurses in Pertamina Hospital. There is a bigger picture with more detail awaiting the outcome of the current boring crisis. Derek hopes it will be used by a major media outlet for a suitcase of wonga ~ obviously not Jakartass Publications. However, if you should happen to mention to Del that I referred you, then he'll pay me my 10% and I'll have an insight into what it feels like to be associated financially with Suharto.
Anyway, this seems to be a fitting send off for the Father of so-called Development considering the funeral cortèges of the majority of the population. And we all want proof when he goes that he really has.
Having taken up yet more hyperspace with waffle about someone I feel absolutely no empathy for, I can only spare a line or two to say that I regret the passing of John Stewart, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, and Frankie Valley, Addick blogger par excellence.
I'll miss you both.
