Medical team foils Soeharto's questioning

Medical team foils Soeharto's questioning

JAKARTA (JP): An independent medical team from Cipto
Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) stepped in to foil on Monday the
second sequel of questioning of former president Soeharto, citing
the suspect's ill-health.

The team's leader Supardi Sudibyo said that during the medical
assessment which preceded the questioning session, the state-
appointed doctors claimed that Soeharto's health had worsened and
he would not be able to undergo questioning.

"We are afraid there could be a recurrence of Soeharto's
illnesses if state prosecutors insist on continuing the
questioning," he told reporters, referring to Soeharto's mild
stroke last year.

The initial questioning earlier this month was halted after 90
minutes due to medical reasons. Soeharto, a suspect of corruption
during his 32-year rule, was able to avoid the planned resumption
of the questioning on Friday last week due to his poor health.

Six prosecutors led by Purnama Munthe and two aides arrived at
Soeharto's residence on Jl. Cendana at 1:15 p.m. on Monday. They
had a personal computer and a video camera with them.

The prosecutors were accompanied by six RSCM doctors, who,
together with Soeharto's nine-member private medical team,
assessed the health of the 78-year-old former ruler in his
bedroom.

Speaking at a media conference on the terrace of Soeharto's
residence, Supardi said that during the two hours of medical
examination, the joint medical team conducted cardiovascular,
neurological and psychiatric tests on Soeharto.

Supardi said the tests showed that Soeharto's blood pressure
reached a dangerous high of 180.

"There were deceleration of responses and a lack of eagerness
found during the recent tests, which were much better than the
initial check last month," Supardi, who is also vice director of
medical services at RSCM, said.

He added that the team had suggested that the Attorney
General's Office order a more comprehensive medical test on
Soeharto before the questioning resumed.

Soeharto's lawyer and family spokesman Juan Felix Tampubolon
said that his client, who has been wearing an oxygen mask since
the questioning last week, had lost the ability to speak.

"He's getting worse every day," he added.

Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana was the
only family member present at the session, according to
Tampubolon.

Former vice president Sudharmono arrived at Soeharto's
residence at 10 a.m. and left at 3:40 p.m.

Munthe said his office postponed the questioning until the
RSCM doctors officially announced that Soeharto was fit enough
for the session to proceed.

"We will await until Soeharto is declared healthy," Munthe,
also director of politics at the deputy attorney general for
intelligence office, said.

Marzuki told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that should the
questioning be halted again due to Soeharto's poor health, his
office would proceed the summons. "We will call him again and
again until he is stated fit to face questioning."

Soeharto made several public appearances, including meeting
with President Abdurrahman Wahid on three occasions last month,
before the first questioning session on April 5. (01)