Memories Of Today, August 12, 2002: Former President Suharto's Health Reportedly Improved After Treatment For Stroke

Former President Suharto leaving the Pertamina Central Hospital in Jakarta after undergoing treatment. (Antara/Jefrie Aries)

JAKARTA - Today, 20 years ago, August 12, 2002, it was reported that former President Suharto's condition had improved. The condition was revealed directly by his team of doctors. However, that does not mean his condition is fully recovered. His speech is still impaired.

Suharto could only say a few words. He was unable to answer long questions. Previously, Suharto had a stroke in July 1999. The former number one in Indonesia fell ill right during the investigation into the corruption case that plagued him.

No one thought that President Soeharto and the New Order (Orba) could fall. Because, in the minds of all Indonesian people, Suharto's leadership was all-powerful. The military is behind it. However, the existence of a country does not only need a mere military. The state also needs sound finances. And that's what Suharto doesn't have.

The 1997-1998 economic recession provoked public anger to ask Suharto to step down. Students also flocked to demonstrations. The power of the people finally succeeded in overthrowing the New Order regime on May 21, 1998.

In fact, the problem is not always solved. Suharto's successor, BJ Habibie began to expose the past sins of the Suharto regime. All sorts of misappropriation of funds when he was president surfaced. The owner of the power also conducted an investigation.

Former President Suharto while being treated at the hospital and accompanied by his children, in a photo whose date and year were not stated (tututsoeharto.id)

It may be that the government wants to immediately investigate the corruption under President Soeharto to its roots. However, far away from the fire. Suharto actually suffered a mild stroke in 1999. The disease made the related investigation more complicated and lengthy.

"He was rushed to the Pertamina RSPP Central Hospital. The number one person in Indonesia is undergoing treatment in VVIP room 604 on the sixth floor of Building B RSPP. Several bouquets of flowers arrived. The start of the mild stroke occurred in the morning, around 10.30. Suddenly he felt pain around the neck and back of the shoulder. "

“At around 10.30, Suharto was immediately taken by ambulance, which was available at his residence, to the RSPP. Suharto's allegation of having a mild stroke was also reinforced by Prof. Dr. Feik Heyder from Semarang. Heyder confirmed that the doctors who treated former President Suharto at the RSSP contacted him in Semarang to participate in monitoring," concluded Femi Adi Soempeno in his book Prabowo Titisan Suharto? (2008).

Suharto was accompanied alternately by his children during his illness. Even the support for recovery came one after another from state officials, as well as all Indonesian people. Suharto's recovery is the most awaited good news.

The long-awaited thing has arrived. President Soeharto's health was reported to have improved by his team of doctors on August 12, 2002. The good news was enthusiastically welcomed by all Indonesians. Moreover, his recovery indicates that the case of misappropriation of funds continues.

"The head of Suharto's medical team, Akmal Taher, said that in general, former President Suharto's health was better than when he had a stroke in 1999 and examinations in 2000 and 2001. However, his language skills were moderately to severe."

"Akmal described that Suharto could only say two to four easy words, while complex questions he could not understand and answer," said historian Asvi Warman Adam in the book Bung Karno was killed three times? (2010).