Suharto in 'critical' condition

Former Indonesia dictator Suharto is in 'critical condition' in hospital after collapsing at his home.

Former Indonesia dictator Suharto is in 'critical condition' in hospital after collapsing at his home.

Doctors said he had collapsed with dangerously low blood pressure and a weak heart.

Tuti Dwi Patmayanti, a hospital spokeswoman, said Suharto was admitted to a sixth-floor ward.

He had been brought to the hospital by two of his six children, his middle son Bambang and youngest daughter Mami.

Miftah Suryadipraja, a doctor at state-run Pertamina Hospital, added: "Suharto is in a very critical condition. To fix his condition we have used a pacemaker. We need to observe him for two or three days."

Earlier, other doctors said Suharto, who turned 80 on Friday, had been hit by relapses of several ailments related to a series of strokes in recent years.

As an army general, Suharto drove out Indonesia's founding President Sukarno in 1966. His iron rule lasted until 1998, when he was ousted amid riots and protests.

President Abdurrahman Wahid became the nation's first democratically chosen leader in 1999.

Since his downfall, Suharto has evaded prosecution on charges of corruption and human rights abuses, despite continuing demands by protesters and attempts by Wahid's government to try him.

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