A SHORT prayer could be heard at the Gude Jiwan red-light area in Madiun, East Java, on Sunday two weeks ago. “May Suharto be far from the evils of ill health...” was the invocation recited by 120 prostitutes and 25 pimps in the complex.

Suwadji, who manages the local prostitutes’ activities, led the prayer for the recovery of the New Order ruler, who has been in critical condition for the past three weeks at Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta.