Neutral doctors to check Soeharto prior to trial

Neutral doctors to check Soeharto prior to trial

JAKARTA (JP): Prosecutors in charge of the trial of Soeharto's
alleged graft case have asked an independent team of doctors from
state-owned Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) to verify
the suspect's health.

Muchtar Arifin, head of the prosecutors team, said on Friday
that the RSCM doctors might carry out their job a few days before
the first hearing scheduled for next Thursday.

But Muchtar did not reveal the precise date of the medical
assessment or the identities of the doctors.

"In order to fulfill the court's request to present Soeharto
during the trial, we have coordinated with the doctors to check
Soeharto's health anytime it is needed.

"It's likely to take place before Thursday," Muchtar told The
Jakarta Post.

As reported earlier, the South Jakarta District Court set the
date of the initial trial for Soeharto and named the auditorium
at the office of the Ministry of Agriculture as its venue.

The prosecutors on Friday also handed notification to the
former ruler to attend the hearing on Thursday.

Leader of Soeharto's team of eight lawyers, Juan Felix
Tampubolon, confirmed receiving the prosecutors' letter.

Juan, however, insisted that the presence of his client at the
court would depend on the results of a medical examination
conducted by a private medical team.

"It's up to the doctors (hired by his client) whether they
will immediately reply to the prosecutors' notification or
conduct a new health check on Pak Harto's health," he told
journalists, referring to Soeharto by his nickname.

"The team of lawyers would not interfere with the doctors'
work," Juan added.

Whatever the result, Juan said, he and his fellow lawyers in
the team strongly expect Soeharto to be able to appear before the
court.

The appearance of a defendant in a trial is a must. The
defendant cannot be represented by lawyers, he said.

"Personally as a good citizen, I wish Pak Harto would get
better. As to my profession, whenever he gets well, he can appear
before the court," Juan said.

Later that day, Muchtar and other prosecutors along with
officials from the South Jakarta District Court and the police
visited the venue of the trial.

Unlike in previous days, the auditorium at Building F of the
ministry has already been isolated.

A helicopter pad has already been set up at the compound near
the special "courtroom" for Soeharto's case. (bby)