Mr Suharto passed away amid controversy. Some Indonesian politicians and former leaders blamed the man for the economic crisis, human rights violations, etc. They said that there was no democracy under him.

MM Lee was the first foreign leader to visit Mr Suharto in Pertamina Hospital on Jan 13 and PM Lee rushed to Jakarta a few hours after Mr Suharto died. PM Lee was the first foreign leader to come and express his condolences while, at the same time, according to the media, one of our former leaders was in Singapore and did not come back to Indonesia until Mr Suharto was buried, neither to visit him nor to express condolences.

I remember that two years ago, PM Lee was the only foreign leader who came to visit the Bali bomb victims. We were touched by what the Lees have done for Indonesia - they were present when we went into mourning.

I would like to point out MM Lee's statement to the media when he visited Mr Suharto at Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta that he was sad to see that Mr Suharto was not getting the honours that he deserves. I fully agree - we should not treat Mr Suharto like that.

To me and, I believe, to most people in Indonesia, democracy is important but if the people are hungry then democracy is useless. That's what I think MM Lee wanted to say. MM Lee is the only leader who dared say the truth.

Tens of thousands of people lined the streets in Jakarta on Monday to pay respects to Mr Suharto. I saw a young man (he looked like an Indonesian Chinese) standing on the roof of his BMW, next to my car, with a half-mast flag in his hand when Mr Suharto's body passed. I saw on TV an old poor woman and a taxi driver crying. Many people were praying in mosques and churches. Seems many people, regardless of their status and religion, have forgiven him.

I have to say that Indonesians, especially our former leaders, can learn a lot from MM Lee on how to become a statesman and how to create a civilised society.

Farewell, Pak Harto, and thank you, MM Lee.

Iswan Priady