Soeharto leaves hospital amid pardon controversy
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
After two weeks of intensive medical treatment, former president Soeharto was discharged from Pertamina Hospital on Friday amid a firestorm of controversy over whether he should receive a presidential pardon.
Wearing a Batik shirt and seated in a wheelchair, he was hustled by his daughter, Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti Rukmana, into a waiting VW Caravelle van that would took him back to his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.
The van, driven by his son Bambang Trihatmodjo, left the hospital at about 8 a.m. Also among his entourage of well wishers was another daughter, Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih.
The 80-year-old, who has been charged with embezzling US$517 million from state coffers, had been hospitalized with pneumonia.
He had been treated at the expense of a state account while at the hospital, where his relatives booked five luxury rooms -- three VVIP and two VIP rooms on the sixth floor. A VVIP room costs Rp 725,000 and a VIP room, Rp 475,000 per day.
Dr. Koenindro Dadi, chief of the 20-strong medical team that tended to the former despot, said that Soeharto was in his "most optimum" health condition, and that he would be physically and mentally fit, provided that he received proper medical treatment at home.
"He should stay away from news or a condition that can make him sad -- it has been recommended that he have recreational activities," Koenindro said after seeing Soeharto off.
Neurologist Dr. Teguh Ranakusumah said Soeharto also suffered from dementia, a type of memory disorder that allows him to recall only events in the distant past.
"He also has communication problems because of internal organ disorders," he said.
Another doctor, Sutjimariono, said Soeharto looked very pleased upon learning that he would be discharged. "Thank you, thank you for all this," Sutjimariono quoted Soeharto as saying.
Soeharto will continue undergoing a rehabilitation program to normalize the function of his vital organs to the point at which they were operating prior to hospitalization.
Doctors advised that Soeharto be placed in a quiet, sterilized environment because he also has decreased immunity to illness due to old age.
Koenindro said a team of doctors will still closely monitor the ex-strongman's health while he is placed under home treatment.
Soeharto has been named as suspect in a US$517 million corruption scandal through various "charity" foundations he chaired until his fall from power after widespread anger against his rule flared in 1998.
His trial has been put on hold for poor health.
His admittance to hospital evoked a wave of sympathy that prompted President Megawati Soekarnoputri to consider pardoning him. She is yet to announce her final stand after the idea met strong opposition from all quarters.
The latest objection came on Friday from some former political prisoners, grouped under an organization known as the Communication Forum for Political Prisoners.
Coordinator of the Forum, Tri Agus Siswomiharjo, said that granting a reprieve to Soeharto would only set a bad precedent for the future of the country's democracy and rule of law.
"If approved, in the future anyone proven guilty -- including incumbent President Megawati -- would be free from legal sanctions; it hurts the feeling of the people of Indonesia, especially political victims like us," Tri Agus said.
But many other people, aside from his cronies, have expressed their support of the move to drop Soeharto's case on health and humanitarian grounds.