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Tributes have been pouring in for former Indonesian president Suharto who died Sunday afternoon at the age of 86.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said Mr Suharto's passing is a great loss to both countries, and praised the former Indonesian leader for enhancing bilateral relations, saying the cordial relations have yielded immense benefits to both countries.
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad described Mr Suharto as a "great leader" and an "international statesman", adding that Mr Suharto "brought stability to Indonesia".
Singapore, said it's "saddened by the news of the passing of former Indonesian President Suharto and conveyed its "deepest sympathies to the Indonesian people for their profound loss."
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong goes to Jakarta this evening to pay his final respects to former President Suharto, while Deputy Prime Minister Prof S Jayakumar will be Singapore's representative at the funeral in Solo tomorrow on Monday.
In Manila, a statement from the Philippine presidential palace, expressed condolences to Suharto's family and supporters, adding that "we pray his death will close a chapter in Indonesia's past."
The statement also said his death would hopefully, "usher in a renewed vigour in the people... to move forward to face the challenges of not only Indonesia but ASEAN as a whole."
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda who has also expressed his condolences to Indonesia, paid tribute to Mr Suharto's efforts to maintain friendly relations between Indonesia and Japan.
In Australia, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has expressed sorrow at the death of the former Indonesian president and paid tribute to Mr Suharto's role in modernising Indonesia and in helping establish the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.
While describing him as "a controversial figure" on human rights and East Timor, Mr Rudd also added that Mr Suharto had been "an influential figure in Australia's region and beyond".
Indonesia's former colonial master, the Netherlands, in also paying tribute to Mr Suharto's legacy said Mr Suharto had brought stability to Indonesia during its transition to democracy, with Indonesia's economy growing strongly, particularly in the 1980s. - CNA/sf
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