Mahathir visits ailing Soeharto

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad visited former president Soeharto who was lying in critical condition at Partamina Hospital here on Monday.

Mahathir who was accompanied by his wife St Hasmah arrived at the hospital at 12:40 Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB) under a tight security guard by Indonesian police and Malaysian Embassy personnel here.

The former Malaysian prime minister was escorted by the security officers towards the fifth floor of the hospital where the ailing Soeharto was being treated.

Mahathir, whose term of office overlapped Soeharto`s, did not speak to reporters but smiled at newsmen who called out to him.

Besides Mahathir, other dignitaries who visited the former Indonesian strong man included former religious minister Quraish Shihab, former minister/state secretary Moerdiono and former housing minister Cosmas Batu Bara.

Singapore`s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew also visited Soeharto on Sunday afternoon.

Lee arrived at the hospital at about 11.45 WIB and was welcomed by the hospital`s acting president director Djoko Sanjoto who took him to Soeharto`s room.

Soeharto and Lee are closed friends who are known as figures who have strengthened the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Only members of the presidential doctor team and close relatives such as Soeharto`s children and grandchildren, were allowed to go inside the room where Soeharto is being treated at Pertamina Hospital.

On Sunday, Soeharto was in very critical condition after suffering multiple organ failure, with the function of his heart, lungs, and kidneys further declining.

The 86-year-old`s red blood cell level had also dropped and doctors had to clear his breathing pipe following signs it was clogged. Doctors said his chances to stay alive was only 50 percent.

He had been treated for 11 days since he was rushed to Pertamina hospital for severe anemia and edema.