Suharto Son Seeks Presidential Pardon

Former Indonesian President Suharto’s youngest son, Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala Putra, 37, today sought a presidential pardon over an 18-month jail sentence for graft, a request that will keep him free for the moment. Defense attorney Bob R. E. Nasution made the announcement after Hutomo met officials of the attorney general’s office, responding to a second summons over the corruption conviction. In light of public anger over the recent dismissal of the elder Suharto’s corruption case, most analysts believe it is unlikely President Abdurrahman Wahid would pardon the ex-strongman’s son.