Soeharto ruling next month

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