Suharto leaves hospital

Suharto's poor health protected him from prosecution

Indonesia's disgraced former President Suharto has left hospital in Jakarta two days after undergoing heart surgery to implant a pacemaker.

Mr Suharto, who celebrated his eightieth birthday last week, waved and smiled to journalists as he was pushed away in a wheelchair.

Guarded by about a dozen bodyguards and accompanied by three of his children, he was whisked away in a motorcade from the state-run Pertamina Hospital.

"Suharto's health has returned to normal. Everything is fine," said one of his doctors, Juniarti Hata. "We suggest he rest."

He said Suharto would return to the hospital in another six months to have the pacemaker checked. Its battery can last for 10 years, he said.

Health problems

The former president, who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday after collapsing at his home with low blood pressure and an irregular heart beat.

Out of the hot seat: Suharto did not go to hearings of his trial

Doctors initially described his condition as critical, but his heart was brought under control with a temporary external pacemaker. On Wednesday, surgeons fitted a permanent internal pacemaker.

Since being forced out of power by massive street protests in 1998, Mr Suharto has suffered several minor strokes and has had breathing and urinary complications. Last February he had his appendix removed.

Last year, a court in Jakarta ruled he was too ill to stand trial on corruption charges. But last week Indonesia's newly appointed Attorney General Baharudin Lopa said Suharto remained a suspect and would be tried again if his health improved.

Suharto's lawyers insist, however, that their client is too frail ever to be brought to trial.