Suharto's children to stay as 'ordinary entrepreneurs without privileges'

The children of former president Suharto will continue living in the country and will try to conduct their businesses without the special privileges they used to build their fortunes.

Mr Suharto's half brother Probosutedjo confirmed the six children had stayed in Jakarta alongside their father as he faced the violence and turbulence that sparked his resignation last Thursday.

'They will become ordinary entrepreneurs without privileges. They are aware of this,' Mr Probosutedjo told the semi-official Antara News Agency.

'I saw them dining at Cendana [Suharto's residence] the night before Suharto decided to quit.' Rumours have been rife in the capital for weeks that the children might leave to protect their fortunes.

Several businesses related to the younger Suhartos were attacked by looters and the head office of the Social Welfare Ministry, which was headed by eldest daughter Siti Hardyanti 'Tutut' Rukmana, was torched.

Ms Rukmana, considered the most wealthy and prominent of the children, lost her cabinet post on Friday as the new President, Mr Habibie, made good on a pledge to avoid the 'cronyism and nepotism' of his mentor's rule.