JAKARTA, Indonesia - Former Indonesian dictator Suharto's health deteriorated Tuesday, with signs of internal bleeding, fluid in his lungs and heart complications, doctors said.
Suharto, 86, whose regime was widely regarded as one of most corrupt and brutal of the 20th century, was suffering from anemia and a dangerously low heart rate when he was admitted to Pertamina Hospital in critical condition Friday. He initially responded well to a blood transfusion and dialysis, but his condition worsened Tuesday.
"He is worse than yesterday," said Subiandono, the chief presidential doctor.
Suharto, who was ousted amid massive student protests and nationwide riots at the height of the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, has been accused of overseeing a purge of more than a half million left-wing opponents soon after seizing power in a 1965 coup. Hundreds of thousands more were killed or imprisoned in the decades that followed -- crimes for which no one has ever been punished.
Suharto has also been accused of squandering billions of dollars in state assets while in power -- an allegation he has repeatedly dismissed as "empty talk."
The former strongman has received a steady stream of visits by high-profile officials in recent days, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Cabinet ministers and Muslim clerics, a sign of his continuing influence over the ruling elite.
Some have prayed for his rapid recovery, while others asked that multimillion dollar embezzlement charges be dropped. Years of poor health, including brain damage and some speech loss, have so far kept him from court.
Television pictures showed a pale and motionless Suharto being wheeled on a bed through the hospital's corridors. Suharto's daughter, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, was at his side.
"For the time being, he can receive no more visitors," Subiandono said. "He will need to remain in intensive care so he can be closely monitored."
Doctors said earlier that Suharto would need a second pacemaker -- he suffered cardiac failure -- but that the procedure could not be performed until his condition stabilized.
Since his ouster, Suharto has lived a secluded life on a leafy lane in the capital, Jakarta, rarely venturing from his mansion except to visit family or for medical attention.
