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)