In Britain, it is the queen who delivers her annual Christmas speech to the nation and across the Commonwealth. In Indonesia this year, it was a former strongman who delivered a message to the people on Idul Fitri, Islam's most important holiday. However, unlike the queen's usually reflective message, Suharto's was more straightforward. It was probably far less well-received, too.
The father of development, as he liked to call himself during his 32-year rule, made a statement by inviting a host of former ministers and political players to the traditional open house held on the first day of the holiday.
And he emphasised the message by allowing journalists inside the Suharto family home.
Usually, reporters would be turned away from such an event by a bevy of security guards. By allowing the cameras in to record all the guests he was receiving, Suharto was saying loud and clear: 'We're still here.'
Significantly, it was clear that the people who turned up were no longer embarrassed by being seen in his company, and were happy to advertise their connections to the Suharto family.
People such as Emil Salim, a respected economist and environmental champion who also served in Suharto's cabinet, Ali Alatas, a former foreign minister, and former information minister General Hartono have, of course, maintained ties with the family.
The difference is that previously, they would have tried to hide those links. Following Suharto's downfall, a number of political figures and prominent businessmen worked hard to distance themselves from the disgraced clan.
