Ex-strongman Soeharto admitted to hospital

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former president Soeharto was admitted to the Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Friday suffering from an identified illness.

The RCTI television broadcaster said the former strongman was admitted to the hospital at about 4:30 p.m. Friday but it was not clear what he was suffering from.

On the first day of the Idul Fitri holiday on Thursday, the 84-year-old Soeharto received hundreds of visitors including his ardent critic and former president, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, at his residence on Jalan Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Accompanied by his children, Soeharto was treated at room 604 on the sixth floor of the hospital.

The former president was earlier treated at the same hospital six months ago for intestinal bleeding. He has had two strokes since he was forced to resign in May 1998 after ruling the country for 32 years.

It is a tradition, especially for public figures, to hold open houses during the holiday.

Flanked by his children -- except his youngest son Tommy Soeharto who is serving a jail term in Nusakambangan -- and his in-laws, Soeharto received his guests while seated on a chair.

Apart from Gus Dur, public figures including former vice president Try Sutrisno, former military commander Gen. Faisal Tandjung, former army commander R. Hartono, House Speaker Agung Laksono, former house speaker Akbar Tandjung, Governor of the National Defense Institute Muladi, former state secretary Moerdiono and businessmen Tong Djoe, Setiawan Djody, Rachmat Gobel and Pontjo Sutowo were received.

Muladi said Soeharto looked well but did not talk much.

"He only smiled and thanked his guests for their visits," Muladi was quoted by Antara as saying.

Dandy Rukmana, a grandson of Soeharto, refused to comment on Soeharto's health.

The normally talkative Gus Dur also refused to comment but his daughter, Yenny Wahid, who accompanied her father said Soeharto and Gus Dur had remained good friends.

Soeharto's neighbors and several orphan children were among the visitors. They queued from the parking lot of the house to it's veranda.

Unlike last year, security was not as strict at the residence. Cars were parked along Jalan Cendana as guests flowed in at a regular pace.