Gus Dur rests in hospital

JAKARTA: Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is taking a rest at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta following an annual general checkup on Tuesday evening.

The chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization, Hasyim Muzadi, told reporters after visiting his predecessor that Gus Dur was in good health and expected to be discharged on Saturday at the latest.

"He laughed a lot. The doctors said they found something suspicious in a cerebral blood vessel. They were so afraid that he could have another stroke that they suggested Gus Dur stay at the hospital to get some rest," Hasyim said.

One of Gus Dur's daughters, Zannuba Arifah "Yenni" Chafsof, said it was better for her father to stay at the hospital because visitors, phone calls and work filled her father's daily schedule when he was at home.

Gus Dur suffered several strokes before he assumed power in October 1999. -- JP