Suharto medical team 'optimistic'

Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for three decades

The medical condition of former Indonesian leader Suharto has shown signs of improvement, doctors say.

Suharto's symptoms were receding and he was conscious, Dr Marjo Subiandono told reporters on Saturday.

The 86-year-old suffered multiple organ failure, pneumonia and sepsis after being rushed to hospital on 4 January with anaemia and low blood pressure.

Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 32 years until popular protests forced him out in 1998.

The former leader is still attached to a ventilator but doctors say that his heart and lung capacity has improved.

His medical team are "optimistic" and hope that he will eventually be able to return home, Dr Subiandono said.

Suharto's condition has fluctuated frequently since he was admitted to hospital on 4 January.

RISE AND FALL OF SUHARTO Born in Java, June 1921 Comes to power in 1965 after alleged Communist coup attempt Formally replaces Sukarno as president in March 1967 Modernisation programmes in the 70s and 80s raise living standards East Timor invaded in late 1975 Asian economic crisis of the 1990s hits Indonesian economy Spiralling prices and discontent force him to resign in May 1998 Judges rule he is unfit to stand trial for corruption in 2000 Transparency International says he tops the world all-time corruption table in March 2004 Life in pictures

After suffering multiple organ failure, pneumonia on one of his lungs and developing the potentially lethal blood disease, doctors have said they are amazed by his strength.

But they have warned that he could still deteriorate suddenly due to his age and the extent of his ailments.

Suharto has had a series of high-profile visitors in hospital, including Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

His supporters credit him with leading his country from poverty to relative prosperity, but he is also accused of repression and responsibility for severe human rights abuses, as well as corruption.

Over the past 10 years, he and his family have been forced to deny allegations that they siphoned off billions of dollars while in power.

However, he never faced trial on any of these allegations - his lawyers argued that he was too ill.

He has been in and out of hospital in recent years with a series of strokes and other illnesses.