Soeharto admitted to hospital

Soeharto admitted to hospital

JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto was admitted on
Tuesday to the privately-run Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta,
due to an uneven heart beat.

Hospital spokeswoman Tuti Dwi Patmayanti said Soeharto, who
turned 80 on Friday, was taken to the hospital at 1:30 p.m. by
his second eldest son Bambang Trihatmodjo and youngest daughter
Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih.

Col. Maliki Mift, Soeharto's personal assistant, said,
"Bapak's health condition is stable. Since this morning his heart
beat has been slower than usual, and this has affected the blood
circulating to other organs."

"Doctors are handling him and now he is stable," Maliki told
the Post.

Speaking to reporters at the hospital later in the day, one of
Soeharto's lawyers, Juan Felix Tampubolon, confirmed that the
former president was in stable condition after doctors installed
a pace maker to help his heart beat normally.

"A permanent pace maker will be installed tomorrow
(Wednesday)," Juan Felix said.

Soeharto, who ruled the country for 32 years until 1998, has
been treated regularly, and has undergone checkups at Pertamina
Hospital.

Since his resignation in 1998, the retired army general has
been treated at the hospital at least three times for various
ailments, including a slight stroke and intestinal bleeding.

Soeharto has also suffered breathing and urinary
complications, and underwent an emergency appendectomy at
Pertamina Hospital in February. (bby/emf)