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