Former president Soeharto was showingslight signs of improvement, doctors said Saturday, hours after he suffered organ failure and was placed on a ventilator with the early, dangerous signs of infection in his lungs.President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, meanwhile, cut short a visit to neighboring Malaysia so he could be at the former strongman’s bedside. He was expected to arrive at the hospital early Saturday.

Soeharto, 86, was hospitalized in criticalcondition just over a week ago with anemia and a low heart rate.

After initially responding well to a blood transfusion and kidney dialysis, his health sharply deteriorated.

Physicians described his state as “alarming” Friday, and family members and friends rushed to his bedside, some reciting prayers and verses from the Quran as he started to lose consciousness

Soeharto suffered multiorgan failure andwas placed on a ventilator Friday, doctors said, as family members rushed to the former Indonesian dictator’s bedside. Physicians called his deteriorating health “alarming.”The 86-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition one week ago with anemia and a low heart rate. He initially responded well to a blood transfusion and kidney dialysis. His condition hasfluctuated almost daily, but Friday’s drop was the most dramatic.

Read Details »