The recent item from the Jakarta Post below is some evidence of the changing attitudes in Indonesia.  Back in 1997, the idea of sueing Tommy Soeharto would have been just unthinkable.  Of course, you have to wonder what the chances of success will be here.

JAKARTA: A group of farmers in Jimbaran, Bali, filed a civil suit against the youngest son of former president Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who was recently released from prison.

The farmers seek Rp 171 billion (US$19 million) in compensation from Tommy, whom they accuse of illegally occupying using their land for a lavish real estate project.

"The compensation is to pay for the 74-hectares of land acquired for the project," group representative Gede Beratha said.

The real estate project, which was started in 1995, was to convert the land into an extravagant tourism resort that would include a five-star hotel, luxurious housing complex and 18-hole golf course.

The 1997 economic crisis brought the project to an abrupt halt. -- JP