Soeharto 'may leave hospital soon'

Soeharto 'may leave hospital soon'

JAKARTA (JP): Ailing former president Soeharto, who was
admitted to Pertamina hospital last Tuesday after suffering a
mild stroke, is not paralyzed and is likely to be discharged from
hospital later this week, his daughter said on Monday.

"Bapak is not paralyzed as both of his legs can still move.
Only the strength to sustain his own body is reduced, though,"
Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti "Tutut" Indra Rukmana
told a packed media gathering at the hospital.

Tutut said family members were anxious to bring the former
president home as soon as possible, but the team of doctors
suggested they wait until the hospital was ready to discharge
him.

"As bapak still has to receive further treatment, including an
X-ray examination using medical equipment, we think it would
disturb him to come to the hospital and go back to his
residence," Tutut said.

"We're all confused and sad, as bapak is sick at a time when
he is being condemned by many people," Tutut said.

Soeharto and his family members have faced allegations they
corruptly amassed a billion dollar fortune after Soeharto was
forced to resign in May last year after 32 years in power.

Tutut's remarks constituted the first official statements from
members of the former first family since the 78-year-old former
strongman was admitted to hospital.

Also present at the media conference, which was delayed for
almost two hours as the family met with the team of doctors, was
Tutut's younger sister Siti Hediati "Titiek" Harijadi Prabowo,
the family's lawyer, Juan Felix Tambupolon, the hospital's
director, Sudjono Martoatmodjo, and chief of the presidential
team of doctors Ibrahim Ginting.

The health of the former iron-fisted ruler became a subject of
wild speculation, because family members refused to disclose the
truth behind his admission to hospital, insisting that Soeharto
was undergoing an annual medical check-up.

However, later the hospital admitted Soeharto had suffered "a
mild stroke" which affected his speech and his right limbs.

Ginting said that in general Soeharto's condition was
improving and was reflected in his improving appetite,
communication ability and strength.

"We have made an hour-per-hour evaluation and also carried out
an intensive physical rehabilitation (program) for him. It is
most likely that he will leave the hospital this week," Ginting
said.

On Monday there were no plans for doctors to carry out any
further tests and Soeharto carried out his walking exercises in
his room, Ginting said.

Doctors are yet to decide whether to allow President B.J.
Habibie to visit his mentor, only saying that permission was now
being "considered".

At the news conference, Tutut conveyed on behalf of the family
a profound apology to visitors -- public and political figures --
who were unable to receive permission from doctors to meet with
Soeharto.

"We thank them for visiting and delivering their expressions
of sympathy for our father's health, but we would like to convey
our deepest apology as not all of them could directly meet our
father," she said. (emf)