Indonesia?s former president Suharto, whose legacy of economic development was marred by graft and human rights abuses during his 32 years in power, died yesterday, aged 86, after suffering multiple organ failure.

?I invite all the people of Indonesia to pray that may the deceased?s good deeds and dedication to the nation be accepted by Allah the almighty. And to the family who are left behind, may Allah give them strength to face this trial,? President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in a statement. ?Mr. Suharto has done a great service to the nation.?

Suharto had been in critical condition in hospital since January 4. Despite his humilia-ting overthrow in 1998, many of the region?s leaders and Indonesia?s elite rushed to his bedside to pay their respects as he lay dying. Singapore?s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia?s former leader Mahathir Mohamad flew to Jakarta, paying tribute to Suharto?s role in bringing stability to the region.

Suharto?s illness prompted many ordinary Indonesians across the archipelago to debate his legacy and question whether he should be pardoned or whether legal proceedings against him for graft should continue.

?The civil suit must be suspended because we are in no position to represent Mr Suharto because he has passed away. And now the prosecutors must deal with the family to sort it out,? said Mohammad Assegaf, one of Suharto?s lawyers.

Family gathering

Members of Suharto?s family had gathered late last night at the Pertamina hospital in Jakarta where he was being treated after his health suddenly deteriorated.

Officials said Suharto?s body would be taken to Java?s royal city of Solo to-day for the funeral.

?For humanity?s sake, we should forgive him. Based on religion, his crimes and his deeds on earth will be subject to God?s judgment only. The living can?t do anything,? Amidan, a member of the Indonesian Ulema Council, a grouping of Islamic clerics, told reporters at the house.

Suharto rose to power after he led the military in 1965 against what was officially called an attempted communist coup. Up to 500 000 people were killed in an anti-communist purge in the months that followed.

Over the next three decades, Suharto?s armed forces committed numerous human rights abuses, killing student activists, criminals, and opponents to the regime in the rebellious provinces of Aceh and Papua, as well as in East Timor, which Indonesia invaded in 1975.

He was forced to step down in 1998 as the Asian financial crisis sparked economic and social chaos, leading to calls for greater democracy. By the time Suharto was forced to resign, he and his family and associates had permeated nearly every sector of Indonesia?s economy. They owned airlines, hotels, toll roads, TV and radio stations, and provided the gateway for any foreigner who wanted to do business there. Critics say they amassed as much as $ 45 billion.

?I suggest Suharto?s family to openly apologize to all the people of Indonesia via a press conference for all the wrongdoings committed by Suharto,? said Soehardjo, a letter-writer to the newspaper Kompas.

Telly NATHALIA