SBY calls for halt to Soeharto debate

Jakarta, NU Online
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged the nation to stop focusing on former president Soeharto's pending legal cases while he remains in a critical condition in hospital.

"Let us stop all debates and arguments as they are unwise and improper at this time," the President said, as quoted by Antara, during a press conference at his private residence in Cikeas, Bogor, on Saturday.<>

He said it was inappropriate for members of the public to bring up legal cases pending against Soeharto while he remained in intensive care after reportedly suffering from multiple organ failure Friday.

The President also encouraged all Indonesians to pray for the ailing former president's health.

Yudhoyono reminded the public that during Soeharto's time as president, he did many things for the Indonesian people, including steadily developing the country's economy.

"Despite some shortcomings, we still need to show him the respect and gratitude he deserves," the President said.

He said the government was not concerned about looking into Soeharto's pending cases while he remained in a critical condition in hospital, despite calls from observers over the past few days.

"We can discuss the matter when the time is right and will seek a solution that is just and in accordance with the law," he said.

Meanwhile, a member of the presidential medical team, Dr. Munawar, said Saturday evening Soeharto's condition had not changed much throughout the day.

Earlier in the day, head of the presidential medical team Dr. Mardjo Soebiandono said Soeharto's condition had started to improve since Friday night.

"After experiencing a critical period last night, Soeharto's condition has shown some signs of improvement this morning," Mardjo said during a press conference at the hospital Saturday morning.

"His blood pressure is stable at a level of 90-100/40-50 mmHg. However, he is still breathing through a ventilator," Mardjo said, adding that liquid that had started to build up in Soeharto's abdomen had lessened.

Despite improvements in Soeharto's condition, he was still critically ill, doctors said.

"Minor bleeding occurred in his gastric tract. An accumulation of liquid and some signs of infection were also found in his lungs," said Mardjo.

He said laboratory results also revealed that Soeharto's hemoglobin levels had dropped.

"He is still receiving a blood transfusion and is being treated with medicine for a lung infection and to keep his body's fluid levels in balance," Mardjo was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.

Separately, a member of the presidential medical team, Dr. Christian Johannes, denied speculation Soeharto had stopped breathing on Friday night.

Reports that Soeharto was in a critical condition Friday night attracted journalists from both the local and foreign media to Pertamina hospital.

Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, who was previously implicated in the September 2004 murder of rights activist Munir Said Thalib, arrived at the hospital at 3:45 p.m.

"I came here as a member of the public to pray for Pak Harto so that he will get well soon," Pollycarpus said.

Among visitors to the hospital Saturday were industry minister Fahmi Idris, former minister Bustanil Arifin and House of Representatives legislators Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, Ali Mukhtar Ngabalin and Guruh Soekarnoputra.

From Karanganyar, Central Java, tempointeraktif.com reported Saturday that Central Java's Diponegoro Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Agus Suyitno dismissed reports his visit to the Soeharto family cemetery was to prepare for the former president's funeral. (dar)