Ex Dictator Suharto hospitalised in “critical” condition

Jakarta (AsiaNews) –A “procession” of high ranking officials filed through Pertamina hospital in  Jakarta today, where ex Indonesian president and former dictator Suharto is in intensive care. His condition remains “critical” according to statements made at a press conference today by Head of State Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who visited Suharto together with his deputy , Jusuf Kalla. During his press briefing he told journalists of the possibility of offering the Government palace as the location for an eventual funeral ceremony.

86 year old Suharto, was hospitalised yesterday with, a dangerously low heart rate although his condition was reported as being “not grave”. Doctors had explained that he had to remain in observation but his condition has since worsened: he will have to undergo a second operation to implant a new pacemaker as well as dialysis.

Former People Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais, launched sharp criticism over the “exaggerated honours” expressed by the country’s high profile officials and urged that investigations in to corruption scandals against the former dictator go ahead. The head of a cruel dictatorship that lasted over 32 years, Suharto has been frequently hospitalised in recent years due to cardiac crises and intestinal problems.   Many accuse him of tampering with hospital files to escape prosecution.  Two years after he was forced to resign, in 1988, he was investigated for having embezzled funds amounting to 600 million dollars (407 euros), but the trial against him was delayed due to ill health.