Western Media criticized for attributing `former dictator` to Soeharto

Brisbane (ANTARA News) - Noted Indonesianist Greg Fealy of the Australian National University (ANU) said Western media organizations had misled their readers and viewers by attributing `former dictator` to former president Soeharto.

"I think they have mislead the public by giving such attribution to Soeharto because he did not hold the power alone. He always kept the power of the people and of the military in the balance. He could not force his own will upon the political system and state," he told ANTARA News on Tuesday.

He said that the attribution as `former dictator` to Soeharto did not reflect the real condition of Indonesia`s state system during his 32 years in power.

Therefore, Greg Fealy is of the opinion that the attribution as `dictator` to Soeharto was misleading because he was not at the dictator level as that of Idi Amien of Uganda, Pol Pot of Cambodia and Joseph Stalin of Russia.

Since Soeharto was admitted to Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Jan. 4, 2008, Western media organizations, including those of Australia, have been taking up reports on his health conditions.

"The Australian," "TV Channel Seven" and "ABC" are three Australian media organizations which have been carrying reports on the health of the former president, and its implications on corruption charges leveled against him by the Indonesia government.

Besides giving a neutral attribution such as a "former president," or "a five-star general," the three Australian media also attributed `former dictator` to Soeharto.

Soeharto was rushed to Pertamina Hospital on January 4 for severe anemia and edema.

Since he was toppled from his presidential seat on May 21, 1998, Soeharto, who was born in Kemusuk hamlet, Argomulyo village, Yogyakarta on June 8 1921, has been in and out of the hospital for various illnesses such as mild strokes, an intestinal bleeding, heart and lung problems.