Soeharto ruling next month

JAKARTA: State prosecutors are still conducting a legal evaluation and holding discussions with an independent medical team from the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) as regards former president Soeharto's legal status.

"Hopefully, by the end of this month or early September (we) will have decided on the legal steps that will be taken against the New Order leader," Attorney General's Office spokesman Barman Zahir was quoted by Antara as saying on Friday.

A team of physicians from the RSCM had also previously carried out tests on Soeharto, a suspect in a criminal case involving the misappropriation of taxpayers' money by the foundations he chaired.

His prosecution was halted in 2001 due to his alleged frail health.

According to Barman, state prosecutors were still evaluating the Soeharto case -- both from the legal and medical points of view -- and the results would be submitted to senior officials in the Attorney General's Office who would then determine his legal status.

Akhmal Thahir, head of the team of physicians, said earlier that the former strongman had speaking and reading difficulties, and could not answer questions consisting of more than four words. --Antara