Matori hospitalized

JAKARTA: Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil was hospitalized due to "serious illness" on Wednesday morning at the Army's Gatot Subroto General Hospital (RSPAD).

According to Suwadi -- the deputy secretary general of Matori's Glorious Democratic Party (PKD) -- Matori collapsed mid-Wednesday-morning. He did not confirm whether the Minister had suffered from a stroke.

"His condition has returned to normal. He can sign important documents and the like... There's nothing serious," Suwadi told reporters, who had contacted him by telephone.

Matori was formerly chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), the political vehicle of Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid in the 1999 general election.

He was finally replaced by Alwi Shihab, following the down fall of Gus Dur from the presidency in 2001, after the later's alleged implication in the corruption scandal known as Buloggate.

Matori filed a legal battle against PKB executives -- over his suspension, and the right to use the Party's name, logo and anthem -- but earlier in July, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights decided in favor of Alwi. -- JP