JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – A big banner of the late former President Soeharto persuading people to vote for his former son-in-law, presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, is displayed in Prabowo’s campaign trail held in Sukoharjo, Central Java on Thursday (June 26), Detik.com reported.

The banner reads, “Sedulur kabeh..sesuk tanggal 9 Juli 2014 ojo kliru milih… milih nomer 1 (siji) soale iku mantuku yho.. suwun” (“All of my brothers..tomorrow on July 9, 2014, don’t vote wrongly.. vote number 1 (one) because he’s my son-in-law.. Thanks”).

Detik.com also reported that in the bottom left corner of the banner was read, “Ika Lemhanas RI Angkatan V 2014 Garuda Sakti,” (The Alumni Association of the Lemhanas/short-term education program of the National Resilience Institute) Class 2014 Garuda Sakti”.

As reported earlier, Prabowo has been repeatedly selling the ‘greatness of Soeharto’ to voters in order seeking support from Soeharto’s supporters.

Prabowo even openly revived the idea to grant the title of national hero to Soeharto, when delivering his speech to the Forum of Indonesian Veterans, Police and Military Retirees (FKPPI) held on June 3, 2014.

But later his idea triggered polarizing reactions, including harsh criticisms. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)