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JAKARTA : A few hundred metres from the hospital where the former Indonesian president is struggling for his life, human rights groups pressed on with their demands for Mr Suharto to be tried for corruption and human rights abuses.
27 of the most influential civil society organisations in Indonesia have formed an alliance called KERAS - People's Alliance To Try Suharto.
Their members gathered at a busy overhead bridge to collect signatures from the public for their cause.
The alliance said similar efforts will be carried out throughout the country.
"We will go to the hospital with these signatures to show that the public still want Mr Suharto to stand trial," said Yoseph D Lali, People's Alliance To Try Suharto, KERAS
Since the 86-year-old former leader's health took a turn for the worse, segments of the Indonesian population have called for his pardon.
Among these are Golkar, the party that was in power during Mr Suharto's 32-year rule, and the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party or PKS.
Human rights groups oppose such a move.
"We are willing to forgive him on humanitarian grounds. However, he has not been convicted, so there is no basis to pardon him," said Lali.
Indonesia's Supreme Court has ruled that Mr Suharto can longer stand trial for criminal charges due to his ailing health.
But a civil case against him will continue as his family has rejected a government's offer for an out-of-court settlement.
Several charity foundations once headed by the former leader are alleged to have been misappropriated more than US$1.4 billion.
Heated debate on whether to pardon the former president is expected to continue for some time to come.
Human rights groups have urged the government to set up an independent commission to help arrive at some form of closure. With the issue splitting Indonesian society, they hope the authorities will respond to their call soon. - CNA /ls
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