(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-05 17:00

JAKARTA - The health condition of Indonesia's former president Soeharto has been deteriorated and is under intensive medical monitoring, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and doctors said here on Saturday.

Indonesian former president Soeharto, who has been hospitalized since Friday, was in critical condition, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Saturday. [File photo]

President Susilo, who had just visited the 86-year-old former strongman, told a press conference at the State Palace that"Pak Harto (Soeharto) is in critical condition."

The best medical treatment was being carried out to improve his condition, said President Susilo.

Head of a team of doctors Mardjo Soebroto said that in general the condition of the former dictator was still weak.

"His blood tension is 80 per 50, the condition of lung and hearth is still unimproved. Accumulation of liquid in all parts of body, especially in lung, and the function of kidney are deteriorated," the doctor told reporters.

"Doctors have decided to give an intensive treatment," he said.

Soeharto has been hospitalized since Friday due to a decrease of his health. He was examined in the Pertamina hospital in Jakarta after falling sick at home last week, doctors said.

Soeharto had ruled Indonesia for 32 years before resigned on May 21, 1998.

He has been frequently treated in hospital in recent years for a stroke and intestinal bleeding.

The former president who has been allegedly charged in corruption cases could not present himself for trial due to his suffering from permanent brain damage and some speech loss from at least two strokes.