JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesias former president Suharto was resuscitated overnight after suffering multiple organ failure for the second time, his doctors said Sunday.
The 86-year-old Suharto was now unconscious and in a "very critical" condition, they said, three weeks after he was rushed to hospital with heart, lung and kidney problems.
All six sons and daughters of the former strongman have gathered at the hospital, reflecting the seriousness of his health, said former state secretary Murdiono, who has been the familys acting spokesman.
"The family is deeply concerned," Murdiono said, adding that it seemed his current condition was the most critical so far.
Suharto suffered his first multiple organ failure a week after he was admitted, but had rallied in recent days, with doctors saying on Saturday he was able to breathe without the aid of a respirator.
"Today, (he) is very critical... the condition today is much worse than yesterday (Saturday)," said Mardjo Soebiandono, who heads the team of doctors treating Suharto.
"Since 0100 am, his general condition has dropped, he suffered breathing difficulties, followed by a drop in his blood pressure," Soebiandono said.
He added that Suharto had been resuscitated and was now breathing with the assistance of a machine.
Djoko Rahardjo, another doctor from Suhartos medical team, said he was unconscious and had suffered another multiple organ failure.
Suharto, who was among Asias most notorious strongmen of the 20th century, stepped down in 1998 amid deadly riots and mass pro-democracy protests that were sparked by the 1997 Asian economic crisis.
Opinion on his rule remains divided in Indonesia, which also enjoyed dramatic economic growth under his rule.
After leaving office he dropped out of public view and avoided criminal trial for massive corruption allegations by citing poor health. Doctors have said two strokes left him with some permanent brain damage.
Attempts to bring him to justice for alleged human rights atrocities in East Timor, which he invaded in 1975, as well as Aceh and Papua, have also been stymied by a lack of evidence.
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