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JAKARTA - The health of Indonesia's ailing former president Suharto regressed Tuesday, with his heart weakening and haemoglobin count low despite receiving a blood transfusion, one of his doctors said.
Suharto, who was hospitalised last Friday for heart and kidney problems, had earlier been improving after being placed on dialysis a day after his admission in a critical condition.
Suharto, who ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for more than three decades until his downfall in 1998, fell ill last week at his family home.
The condition of the 86-year-old "shows a regression. His urine condition is worsening and the accumulation of liquid in his lungs is growing," said Marjo Soebiandono, who heads the team of doctors caring for the former leader.
"There are signs of bleeding in his urine and faeces," he told reporters, adding that the patient's haemoglobin count had fallen despite receiving a blood transfusion on Monday.
Soebandiono said that tests had also shown that one of the Suharto's heart muscle segments was not moving. Doctors have already said that Suharto requires a second pacemaker operation which will only be carried out if he stabilises.
The reclusive Suharto -- who has rarely been seen in public since his downfall -- has been admitted to hospital suffering a variety of ailments in recent years, including at least two strokes and stomach problems.
His poor health saw a criminal trial against him for corruption abandoned in 2006, disappointing many keen to see justice over the alleged theft of billions of dollars by Suharto, his family and cronies while in power.
Suharto is still however the target of a civil lawsuit, with the government seeking 1.4 billion dollars in damages and returned assets allegedly accrued through a charitable foundation Suharto chaired while in power.
Indonesia's attorney general on Monday rejected calls by Suharto's allies for the civil case and others being investigated to be dropped. - AFP/ir
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