Indonesia's Suharto near death

January 13, 2008

Former Indonesian President Suharto is near death and his family had given orders to remove him from life support when appropriate.

Doctor's considered his condition to be "very critical."

JAKARTA -- Former Indonesian President Suharto's health declined further prompting his family to allow doctors in Jakarta to remove him from life support when appropriate.

Suharto entered the hospital Jan. 4 for organ failure. Reports circulated Saturday that his health improved, but Sunday's reports indicated his health was dire.

Doctor's considered his condition to be "very critical" and said they will keep him on a ventilator until complete organ failure, CNN reported Sunday.

Indonesia's attorney general Saturday offered Suharto's family a $1.5 billion settlement for pending corruption charges, which his family rejected on the grounds of their difficult situation.

Suharto served as president of Indonesia from 1967 to 1989 when he was forced to step down amid widespread protests, despite leading the country to closer ties with Western nations.