Former president Soeharto stable after minor surgery

Former president Soeharto stable after minor surgery

JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto was in a stable
condition on Wednesday after cardiologists at Pertamina Hospital
in South Jakarta successfully installed a permanent pacemaker to
normalize his uneven heartbeat.

Heart specialist Miftah Suryadipraja stated that the 30-minute
minor surgery in the morning had been completed successfully.

"Pak Harto's condition is relatively stable. The operation was
a success. But there could still be complications, as his body
needs to adjust to the device," he said at a media conference,
where he was joined by cardiologists from other hospitals.

One of Soeharto's lawyers, O.C. Kaligis, claimed that just a
few hours after the surgery, his client had fully recovered and
had recognized him when he came to visit.

Another cardiologist, Juniarti Hatta, said Soeharto had to be
treated for at least three more days at the hospital to recover
from the surgery.

A team of cardiologists from Cipto Mangunkusumo General
Hospital, Pertamina Hospital and Harapan Kita heart hospital
installed the battery-powered pacemaker in the left side of
Soeharto's chest.

The pacemaker was set to regulate Soeharto's heartbeat to 70
beats per minute. The device was also set up to distribute oxygen
to Soeharto's brain, liver and heart.

"We will also continue monitoring his body's adjustment to the
device for the next six months because its battery will last no
longer than that," Juniarti said.

Soeharto, who turned 80 only last Friday, was rushed to the
hospital on Tuesday when doctors initially attached a temporary,
external pacemaker to his thigh.

The widower was accompanied by his children and other family
members, while some from within his inner circle, including
former cabinet secretary Moerdiono and military chief Gen. (ret)
Wiranto, were observed visiting.

Soeharto, a former five-star Army general, ruled Indonesia
with an iron fist for 32 years before he was forced from office
in 1998, following riots and prodemocracy protests.

Since then, health problems have prevented his prosecution
over allegations of massive corruption.

The ailing former ruler has been treated regularly at the
state's expense to restore him to a state of health sufficient
for him to be brought to trial on charges of corruption.

He has been treated at Pertamina Hospital at least three times
for various ailments, including a slight stroke, intestinal
bleeding and -- last February -- an appendectomy. (bby)