Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Is Suharto good or bad?

The man has died. But his legacy is controversial. During his rise to power in 1966, there was a massacre of communist and ethnic Chinese. Then, there is the ample corruption and nepotism during his rule. Yet, there is a clarion call for him to be pardoned and made a hero in his home land. LKY has said that he is no given enough recognition. To be fair, he did bring stability and progress to his country during his 33 years rule.

So, can his good deeds obliterate his sins. It is said that you are remembered for your mistakes but your good deeds are all not recognised. This is certainly not true here. Rather, it is the short memory of the human being that is at play. Or is it his stature that the people are unable to regard him any ill.

This phenomenon is also prevalent in society at large. Fledgling business people used unscrupulous means to make money. After they have got rich, they become philantropic. It is as though they are seeking atonement for their past deeds. Very often, they are able to change their image for the better.

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