Matori's health improving<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The health of defense minister Matori Abdul Djalil is slowly
\nimproving at Mt. Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, a government
\nofficial has said.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Matori was moved from the intensive care unit yesterday
\n(Wednesday), indicating that his state of health has improved,\"
\ndefense ministry's Secretary-general Rear Marshal Suprihadi told
\nHouse of Representatives Commission I for defense on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Matori suffered a stroke on Aug. 27 and was rushed to the
\nGatot Subroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta. He was later
\nairlifted to Singapore after his condition worsened.<\/p>\n
According to Suprihadi, Matori suffered a stroke, with
\nadditional complications caused by a lung disorder, diabetes and
\nsinusitis.<\/p>\n
He said doctors at the Mt Elizabeth Hospital had not performed
\nany surgery on Matori as they were endeavoring to restore Matori
\nto health without it.<\/p>\n
Suprihadi said the government was still discussing whether or
\nnot to assign another official to handle the duties of defense
\nminister.<\/p>\n
In the hearing chaired by legislator Franky W. Kayhatu of the
\nMilitary\/Police faction, Suprihadi said for the time being the
\nduties would be carried out by the ministry's directors general.<\/p>\n
He also said that Coordinating Minister for Political and
\nSecurity Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would discuss with
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri whether or not there was a need
\nto assign someone to take over the ministerial post.<\/p>\n
\"He (Susilo) will ask the President if an interim defense
\nminister should be appointed or not,\" Suprihadi said.<\/p>\n
Asked if he was ready to take over the ministerial post
\nhimself, Suprihadi replied that such a thought had never crossed
\nhis mind.<\/p>\n
Matori was chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB),
\nwhich split into two in 2001 following the ouster of former
\npresident Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, was PKB's founder.<\/p>\n
Soon after his ouster, Gus Dur fired Matori and appointed
\nnewcomer Alwi Shihab to chair the country's fourth-largest party.<\/p>\n
Matori's insistence on declaring himself the legitimate PKB
\nchairman prompted a legal battle between the two camps.<\/p>\n
However, after a series of court actions, the Ministry of
\nJustice and Human Rights decided in favor of Alwi.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/matoris-health-improving-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}