General Wiranto, Indonesia’s former military leader who is currently under investigation for gross human rights abuses, is trying to make over his image by becoming south Asia’s answer to both Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis.
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Wiranto, who led the Indonesian army and its militia cohorts against civilian uprisings in the provinces of East Timor, Aceh, among others, has recorded an album of love songs called “My Love, Indonesia.” He is allegedly donating all profits to aid refugees from those conflicts, according to the BBC.
Human rights activists call the ploy not only ironic, but a “tasteless” effort to create a sympathetic new image for Wiranto which might deflect international investigators’ efforts to hold him accountable for the murder, torture, and displacement of thousands of Indonesians.