Soeharto undergoes a brain scan

Soeharto undergoes a brain scan

JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto underwent a brain scan
on Saturday morning to check whether the damage from several
strokes has affected his memory and ability to face an ongoing
investigation into his alleged corruption during 32 years of
rule.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Mohammad Assegaf, and eldest
daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, Soeharto was taken to the state
Harapan Kita Hospital for the one-hour medical check early
Saturday. The ailing former ruler, who just turned 79, walked
unaided and appeared in good spirits.

Head of the independent medical team carrying out the brain
test, Supardi Sudibyo, said the examination was aimed at
observing the circulation of blood vessels that feed brain cells.

"By examining the blood pressure shown in the photographic
brainspect, we can assess the brain's memory function," Supardi
told journalists waiting outside the radiology chamber of the
hospital, which formerly controlled by one of Soeharto's
foundations.

A diagnostic technique called scintigraphy was applied on
Soeharto's scalp to obtain a two-dimensional picture of blood
circulation in his brain using radioisotopes.

Supardi said results of the hemodynamic assessment of
Soeharto's brain and other examinations will be submitted to the
attorney general as soon as possible.

Security was far from tight during the examination, with only
a few police and security officers guarding the radiology ward.

When the tests were completed, Soeharto walked unaided from
the hospital to a waiting Volkswagen minivan. He waved and smiled
to journalists without speaking.

The brain scan was part of the government's comprehensive
medical tests conducted on Soeharto, after a number of
interrogations were hampered by his apparently failing memory.
This prompted his lawyers to urge for a halt to the
investigation, saying it was "legally useless".

Originally the brain scan was slated to be held at Cipto
Mangunkusumo Hospital, but Supardi, who is a vice director of the
country's biggest hospital, said the scanner there was
temporarily inoperable.

Soeharto has been hospitalized twice since abdicating his
office in May 1998, once for a mild stroke and once for
intestinal bleeding.

He has undergone seven rounds of questioning since the
Attorney General's Office reopened the case in December last
year. Attorney General Marzuki Darusman has said Soeharto could
stand trial no later than Aug. 10, when his house arrest status
ends.

The former president is being investigated for alleged misuse
of power by issuing various decrees and rulings to amass wealth
through his seven charity foundations.

President Abdurrahman Wahid has appointed Minister of Mines
and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to hold talks with Soeharto's
family to discuss the possibility of Soeharto returning any of
his ill-gotten monies or assets.

Abdurrahman has repeatedly said he would pardon Soeharto if
the latter is found guilty.

Earlier, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman reaffirmed that the
ongoing talks would not affect the progress of the investigation.

"What has been conveyed by the government through Susilo is a
parallel to the ongoing legal process conducted by the Attorney
General's Office. The purpose of the announcement is to provide
information to the public demonstrating that the government is
serious in recovering the state's assets," he told a media
conference on Friday.

Separately, National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo said that a
number of policemen were on a special training to guard the
security of the former president during the latter's house arrest
status. The guards will be on post soon, he added.

"Such training is necessary because it's been a long time
since we guarded a head of state, all this time the task has been
performed by trained presidential security guards," he told
journalists at the Attorney General's Office on Friday.

The police have been made responsible for Soeharto's personal
security while Jakarta Military Command remains in charge of
general security around his residence on Jl. Cendana in Central
Jakarta. (bby)