Jakarta: Ten years ago, Amien Rais led thousands of demonstrators chanting "Hang Suharto!" to the halls of parliament, where they demanded the resignation of a man widely regarded as one of the most brutal and corrupt leaders of the 20th century.

Today, with the former dictator on his deathbed, Rais has a different message: forgive. But not everyone agrees, with protesters taking to the streets to demand the 86-year-old face justice. Suharto s condition took another grave turn yesterday, with doctors saying he had developed sepsis, a potentially life-threatening blood infection, on top of multiple organ failure.

He remained hooked to a ventilator and has slipped in and out of consciousness in recent days. "This is a new low point," Dr Harryanto Reksodiputro told reporters camped out at Pertamina Hospital. "Suharto's condition is very bad, considering his old age, his previous strokes and poorly functioning kidneys, heart and lungs."

Some believe, with machines now keeping Suharto alive, it could be a matter of days before physicians give up hope. The family has already said it would not stand in the way.

That has sparked debate about whether it is time to exonerate Suharto, whose 32-year rule ended in 1998 after the Asian financial crash triggered nationwide riots and massive rallies, opening the way for democracy in this predominantly Muslim nation of 235 million.

He retired from public life after his ouster, rarely venturing from his mansion on a quiet, tree-lined street in the capital, Jakarta.

Source : PTI