Former Dictator Suharto Hospitalized

86-Year-Old Former Indonesian Leader Said To Have Suffered Permanent Brain Damage

(AP)  Former Indonesian dictator Suharto was hospitalized with anemia and intestinal swelling Friday after being treated at home for several days, doctors said.

Suharto's condition was not considered life-threatening, but he would spend at least one night under observation, said Dr. Brig. Gen. Marjo Subiandono, the head of the country's presidential medical team.

The 86-year-old, who brutally ruled Indonesia for more than three decades until being toppled by a pro-democracy uprising in 1998, has been in and out of the hospital in recent years for strokes and intestinal bleeding.

He is said to have suffered permanent brain damage and some speech loss from the ailments.

Pertamina Hospital spokesman Dr. Joko Sanjoto told reporters tests were being carried out to determine why Suharto was suffering from anemia, or low hemoglobin levels, and intestinal edema, a swelling of the intestines caused by a buildup of fluids.

The former strongman was stable and conscious, he said, adding that he was admitted "because we are concerned."

His feet and other parts of his body were also experiencing some swelling, said Dr. Joko Raharjo, a member of Suharto's medical team at the hospital.

Suharto lives a secluded life in a mansion on a leafy lane in Jakarta and is rarely seen in public. During recent Islamic holidays, he received a stream of high-profile guests and gave a rare media interview in November after winning a defamation lawsuit against Time magazine.

Two years after his ouster, Suharto was indicted for allegedly embezzling $600 million, but legal proceedings were suspended due to his poor health.

[brianbwb-2009]

Any one who remembers the Soeharto era will tell you that the country was exponentially less corrupt under his rule, than it is now. The violence in Aceh, Makuku, Timor, and the people behind the Bali bombings would never have been able to operate under Soeharto. Muslims and Christians, Hindu, and other traditional religions co existed in peace, their freedom enshrined in their constitution''s Pancasila ideology. Even though a devout Muslim. He never allowed any religion, including his own, to denigrate another. (He did ban Jehovah''s witnesses, as their religion only recognized Jehovah as the name of God.)

This man kept 15,000 islands, with 800 different tribes, languages, cultures and religions, from being turned into the personal playgrounds of the generals (read ; warlords) and from becoming a slave colony of Australia and the US, by balancing all of the many competing interests, an amazing feat I don''t think any other man alive in his position could have accomplished.

Every new country has to apply an iron hand early, or else law is never established. Those who call him a dictator are ignorant of the situation, whether intentionally ignorant for reasons of personal agenda, or simply speaking without correct information.

By the way Jim, Bob got busted dealing with the gangsters, he did deserve what he got, but he and Tommy turned Nusakembangan into a five star luxury prison, it was rather funny.

[oldpilot954]

I agree completely. I lived in Indonesia during "Suharto days" and it was the most prosperous and stable in the nation''s history. At least there was not an Al Qaeda training center strong-arming residents of my old neighborhood like, I am told, there is now.

[prinzowhales]

The Indonesian "terrorists" are linked at the hip to that nation''s security and military apparatus...its part and parcel of the ''strategy of tension'' where citizens are offered security in exchange for servitude. Lots of "Ugly Americans" lived high on the hog in Indonesia while tens of thousands were murdered.

[toolmangler-2009]

I lived for years in Indonesia while President Suharto held office. I am annoyed that he is often called "Dictator". President Suharto was, indeed a strong" leader. He had to be. Has anyone noticed the country has nearly come undone since President Suharto left office? Many of Indonesias ethnic and tribal groups are at odds and will go to war, if not kept apart by strong government. US style government does not and will not work everywhere on the planet.
Many, who were not then fans of Suharto, wish for his guidance today as they watch lesser women and men attempt to govern the fractious diversity of Indonesia. Indonesia shot itself in the foot when it drove President Suharto from office. Those men built the only economy Indonesia ever had and deserved better of the Indonesian people.
Posted by jmcgilvray at 02:16 AM : Jan 05, 2008


I agree with you for the most part, including the comment about democracy, It cannot work where life is valued so cheaply. Iraq and the Mideast area prove the truth of this statement. Even the so-called ''democratic'' countrys have to be ruled by an iron fist. Once Saddam was removed from power the three factions immediately resumed warring against everybody while using the Western countrys presense as an excuse for terrorism. A three way (or more) schism has been evidenced in the continued bloodshed that permeates everything Muslim. If the Islamic peoples wish peace, there is no proof, only everpresent violence.