RSCM sets up team for Soeharto

RSCM sets up team for Soeharto

JAKARTA: Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) has set up
a medical team to reexamine the health of former president
Soeharto, the hospital's president director Merdias Armatsier
said on Thursday.

The team comprises 10 doctors and is led by Achmad Thahir, the
hospital's medical director.

Merdias said the Attorney General's Office asked RSCM for
Soeharto's medical report in December last year to determine
whether the former ruler was fit to stand trial.

The hospital refused and insisted on a new examination, which
was approved by the Attorney General's Office. The former
president underwent his last medical check in 2002.

"We have readied our team and are now waiting for an order
from South Jakarta Prosecutor's Office and cooperation from Pak
Harto's family," Merdias said.

Soeharto, who stepped down in May 1998, is being charged with
enriching himself, his family and cronies by embezzling more than
US$600 million worth of state funds laundered through dozens of
his tax-free foundations. But the court has declared him unfit to
stand trial due to brain damage after suffering several minor
strokes.

Pressure has been mounting for his graft trial after he was
seen visiting his son Hutomo Mandala Putra several times in
prison where he is serving his sentence for murder. Soeharto also
received former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad at his
residence on Feb. 8. -- JP