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)