Former Indonesian president Suharto, whose three decade rule over the nation was marked by economic progress and large-scale corruption, died at the age of 86 at a Jakarta hospital on Sunday.
Suharto was admitted to the hospital about three weeks ago with heart, lung and kidney problems. The doctors had declared that he was in a critical condition.
The controversial president, who ruled Indonesia for over three decades, suffered from multiple organ failure on Saturday night.
Though Indonesia witnessed considerable economic progress during Suharto's tenure, his regime was marked by bloodshed, human rights abuses and corruption.
Suharto, who seized power in 1966, was responsible for the killings of over half a million Communists and their supporters. He also spearheaded the invasion of East Timor and the suppression of separatist movements in Aceh and Papua.
As Indonesia became prosperous and self-sufficient during his regime, corruption touched an all time high, with public funds being siphoned off by Suharto's friends and family members.
Violent riots and mass protests, provoked by the 1997 Asian economic crisis, forced Suharto to step down in 1998. He maintained a low profile after that and managed to avoid trial for corruption charges by citing ill health.
Suharto could not be tried for alleged human right atrocities in East Timor, Aceh and Papua due to lack of evidence.
