Suharto

Indonesians began voting for a new president Wednesday with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto the frontrunner to lead Southeast Asia's biggest economy despite concerns over his human rights record.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hailed late dictator Ferdinand Marcos as a hero for many Filipinos during a weekend of emotional celebrations by supporters of the former strongman ahead of his 100th birth anniversary today.

Thirty years ago most of Southeast Asia was run by thuggish dictatorships. Then the Philippines showed the rest of the world how to get rid of dictators without violence, and its non-violent example was watched and copied around the world. But now the thugs are coming back to where it all started.

An Indonesian court has ordered a foundation set up by former Indonesian dictator Suharto to pay back about $325 million of embezzled state funds, an official said on August 11. 

The Supreme Court ruled that the huge sum, which came from an educational foundation controlled by the Suharto family, must be returned, said court spokesman Suhadi.    

Indonesian legislators and human rights activists criticized Aug. 5 a government proposal to make insulting the president illegal, citing concern for freedom of speech in the world's third-largest democracy. 

The proposal aims to revive a law from the era of former authoritarian ruler Suharto that was used to silence dissidents with jail sentences and fines. 

Jakarta governor Joko Widodo is expected to be declared the winner of Indonesia's disputed presidential election this week but his rival, ex-general Prabowo Subianto, is set to mount a legal challenge that could prolong the political deadlock.
      

Both sides claimed victory July 9 in Indonesia’s tightest and most divisive presidential election since the end of authoritarian rule, as unofficial tallies showed Jakarta governor Joko Widodo leading ex-general Prabowo Subianto.