Suharto 'weak' after intestinal bleeding

Doctors treating ailing former Indonesian dictator Suharto today said he was “weak” but conscious after being admitted to hospital for intestinal bleeding.

Suharto, 84, was receiving a blood transfusion while medical staff tried to stop the internal bleeding.

He was having problems swallowing food, doctors said.

“The condition of Suharto right now has not been stabilized, but he is still conscious and he still recognized his family, but his condition is weak,” said presidential doctor Brig. Gen. Marjo Subiandono.

A second doctor, Arrie Harijanto, said Suharto’s condition was still serious the morning after he was admitted to Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta, the capital.

Suharto was accompanied to hospital yesterday evening by two of his children, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana and Sigit Harjojudanto, after complaining he felt “very weak,” Harijanto said.

Tests showed a low count of hemoglobin, or red blood cells carrying oxygen, and he was given a blood transfusion later in the night.

Suharto’s ongoing frail health will almost certainly undermine attempts to prosecute him on corruption charges.

Attorney General Abdul Rahman Saleh today renewed calls for doctors to evaluate if he is fit enough to stand trial, saying it had been about four years since the last medical evaluation.

It was the fourth time since May 2004 that Suharto has been admitted to hospital for recurring intestinal bleeding, including a week-long stay a year ago.

Suharto – who turns 85 in June – suffered permanent brain damage resulting from at least two strokes after his downfall in 1998.

A former general, he rose to power by crushing Indonesia’s communist movement. He ruled the vast nation of 220 million for 32 years with a tough hand, only to be chased from office by street protests after Indonesia’s economy collapsed during the Asia financial crisis amid allegations of widespread corruption.

Two years later, he was indicted for allegedly embezzling £326m (€475m), but legal proceedings against him were suspended due to his poor health.

Subiandono, a heart specialist who heads the team of presidential doctors, said Suharto, who has had a pacemaker fitted, was under close supervision.

Suharto made a rare public appearance on Wednesday after meeting with Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. They met for about 30 minutes and discussed, among other things, their health and dietary habits.