Soeharto's health declines: Doctor

JAKARTA (JP): A team of state-appointed doctors reported on Wednesday that former president Soeharto's health had regressed following heart surgery, but that he was still in a relatively stable condition as of Tuesday.

In the report read out by Attorney General's Office spokesman Muljohardjo, the doctors revealed that the pacemaker Soeharto had recently been fitted with could only help his irregular heartbeat but not the enlargement of his heart.

"As of June 19, in general, Soeharto's health is relatively stable, but there was an anatomical setback in the condition of his cerebrum, as the doctors found specks of brain lesions in the front area," stated the report signed by the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's medical team leader Ichramsjah A. Rahman.

"Soeharto is able to carry out limited activities around the house," the report said.

The team was charged with undertaking Soeharto's medical treatment, in cooperation with the latter's private doctors, to ensure the former president was fit enough to face trial on graft charges of more than US$571 million.

Attorney General Baharuddin Lopa, being impatient with Soeharto's recovery, revealed on Monday his plan to file a civil lawsuit against Soeharto.

The doctors revealed that during their routine Tuesday checkup on June 12, Soeharto was declared in a "state of heart emergency" as he had an uneven heartbeat and falling blood pressure.

The 80-year-old Soeharto was then taken to Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta when he was fitted with a temporary pacemaker to prepare him for the minor surgery to implant a permanent one the next day.

After two days of treatment, Soeharto was allowed return to his house in Menteng, Central Jakarta, which is set up with medical equipment for his care and where he can rest.

According to the doctors' report last month, Soeharto, who left office in May 1998 after 32 years in power following riots and prodemocracy protests, has had various ailments, including diabetes, stroke, kidney problems and irregular blood pressure.

His condition has yet to improve as disclosed in the Wednesday report.

"Soeharto's medical treatment focuses on restoring his physical functions, while gradually giving him therapy to alleviate the regression of his cognitive functions," the doctors reported.(bby)