Indonesia’s Suharto Clinging to Life

Doctors at a Jakarta hospital said former Indonesian President Suharto had surprised them by surviving through Monday morning.

Sunday, the 86-year-old’s family gave doctors permission to take him off life support when they saw fit, as was labeled being in very critical condition, CNN reported.

At a news briefing, doctors said a blood transfusion had restored Suharto’s red blood cell count and blood pressure. They said the plan was to keep Suharto on a respirator until all of his organs ceased functioning, the report said.

An ambulance took Suharto to the Pertamina Hospital on Jan. 4, suffering from heart, lung and liver failure. His family has remained at his side, reading verses to him from the Koran, the report said.

Saturday, his family declined to respond to Indonesia’s attorney general’s offer to settle civil claims of $1.5 billion Suharto is accused of stealing from the state during his reign between 1967 and 1998. Lawyers for the family said Suharto has denied any wrongdoing.