Soeharto still in critical state

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Doctors looking after former president Soeharto conceded on Tuesday that despite showing signs of stabilizing, the 80-year- old remained in critical condition, and that they feared a potential multiorgan dysfunction.

Speaking to journalists, doctors treating Soeharto sounded extremely cautious in their prognosis, noting that due to his age his condition could quickly worsen, possibly leading to a deterioration of brain, heart and kidney functions.

They were apprehensive that the medication being administered to treat the pneumonia with which he was initially diagnosed might cause unwanted side effects, aggravating the condition of these crucial organs.

But doctors also noted that, compared with Monday evening when he was rushed to Pertamina hospital in South Jakarta after suffering breathing problems, Soeharto showed signs of improvement, with his body temperature and breathing returning to normal.

It may have been a coincidence, but Soeharto's medical check, which showed clear signs of improvement, was carried out after a visit by his son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

It was the first time the two were known to have seen each other since Tommy went into hiding over a year ago.

Handcuffed and under heavy police escort, Tommy was given permission to leave detention at Jakarta Police Headquarters to meet his ailing father for about an hour.

The medical team treating Soeharto comprised his own 23 private physicians, Pertamina hospital doctors and a team of presidential doctors who were assisting under instructions from President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Soeharto's health has slowly deteriorated, including suffering several strokes during the last three years, and culminating in a court decision to halt his trial for alleged graft due to his poor state of health.

The head of Soeharto's private medical team neurologist Teguh A.S. Ranakusuma said on Tuesday that "although Bapak has passed the toughest critical stage", he still faces multiple problems.

"Bapak is still in a critical condition -- we're now focusing on his lung problems," he remarked, while adding that Soeharto had been in good health during the month of Ramadhan and had also fasted.

Specialist Hoediarto Mangkunegoro said doctors had succeeded in decreasing the liquid content in Soeharto's lungs by using antibiotics.

"But the problem is that the medication may affect other organs. We have to control his blood sugar level, which has increased as a result of the antipneumonia prescription, and must monitor his kidneys further," Mangkunegoro said.

Doctors are continuing to monitor developments closely, with complete examinations every six hours.

Head of the presidential medical team radiologist Koenindro Dadi said Soeharto's emotional state seemed considerably better after meeting Tommy.

Close friends of the family said Tommy's plight had been carefully concealed from his father.

Tommy arrived at the hospital at around 10:15 a.m. with his left hand cuffed to police detective Adj. Comr. Joko Purwadi.

Currently being investigated for murder, bombings and illegal arms possession, Tommy was given a brief respite by the police, who allowed him to meet his father without having to don a detention uniform.

Despite police sources claiming otherwise, Tommy's lawyer Elza Syarief insisted that Tommy was still cuffed when seeing Soeharto in the VVIP room on the sixth floor of the hospital.

Elza could not elaborate how Tommy concealed the handcuffs from his father, who, she said, only stared and smiled while asking merely how his son was.

She added that Tommy spent most of the one-hour visit playing with his second two-year-old son, Dharma.

Apart from his wife, Regita Indah Cahyani, Tommy's three sisters and eldest brother were also present.

His second brother, Bambang Trihatmodjo, was not allowed to see Soeharto because he was suffering from influenza.

Many prominent figures from Soeharto's inner circle were seen visiting the patient, including former vice president Soedharmono and former state secretaries Saadilah Mursyid and Moerdiono.