Soeharto 'may leave hospital soon'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ailing former president Soeharto, who was
\nadmitted to Pertamina hospital last Tuesday after suffering a
\nmild stroke, is not paralyzed and is likely to be discharged from
\nhospital later this week, his daughter said on Monday.<\/p>\n
"Bapak is not paralyzed as both of his legs can still move.
\nOnly the strength to sustain his own body is reduced, though,"
\nSoeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti "Tutut" Indra Rukmana
\ntold a packed media gathering at the hospital.<\/p>\n
Tutut said family members were anxious to bring the former
\npresident home as soon as possible, but the team of doctors
\nsuggested they wait until the hospital was ready to discharge
\nhim.<\/p>\n
"As bapak still has to receive further treatment, including an
\nX-ray examination using medical equipment, we think it would
\ndisturb him to come to the hospital and go back to his
\nresidence," Tutut said.<\/p>\n
"We're all confused and sad, as bapak is sick at a time when
\nhe is being condemned by many people," Tutut said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto and his family members have faced allegations they
\ncorruptly amassed a billion dollar fortune after Soeharto was
\nforced to resign in May last year after 32 years in power.<\/p>\n
Tutut's remarks constituted the first official statements from
\nmembers of the former first family since the 78-year-old former
\nstrongman was admitted to hospital.<\/p>\n
Also present at the media conference, which was delayed for
\nalmost two hours as the family met with the team of doctors, was
\nTutut's younger sister Siti Hediati "Titiek" Harijadi Prabowo,
\nthe family's lawyer, Juan Felix Tambupolon, the hospital's
\ndirector, Sudjono Martoatmodjo, and chief of the presidential
\nteam of doctors Ibrahim Ginting.<\/p>\n
The health of the former iron-fisted ruler became a subject of
\nwild speculation, because family members refused to disclose the
\ntruth behind his admission to hospital, insisting that Soeharto
\nwas undergoing an annual medical check-up.<\/p>\n
However, later the hospital admitted Soeharto had suffered "a
\nmild stroke" which affected his speech and his right limbs.<\/p>\n
Ginting said that in general Soeharto's condition was
\nimproving and was reflected in his improving appetite,
\ncommunication ability and strength.<\/p>\n
"We have made an hour-per-hour evaluation and also carried out
\nan intensive physical rehabilitation (program) for him. It is
\nmost likely that he will leave the hospital this week," Ginting
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
On Monday there were no plans for doctors to carry out any
\nfurther tests and Soeharto carried out his walking exercises in
\nhis room, Ginting said.<\/p>\n
Doctors are yet to decide whether to allow President B.J.
\nHabibie to visit his mentor, only saying that permission was now
\nbeing "considered".<\/p>\n
At the news conference, Tutut conveyed on behalf of the family
\na profound apology to visitors -- public and political figures --
\nwho were unable to receive permission from doctors to meet with
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
"We thank them for visiting and delivering their expressions
\nof sympathy for our father's health, but we would like to convey
\nour deepest apology as not all of them could directly meet our
\nfather," she said. (emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-may-leave-hospital-soon-1447893297",
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