JAKARTA, Feb 7 Kyodo Former Malay...

JAKARTA, Feb 7 Kyodo

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called in succession former Indonesian President Suharto onward Saturday as part of a visit to ''old friends'' in the country

''I just wanted to come together him (Suharto), to see whether he is healthy or not. And he is healthy. moreover after suffering three strokes, he could not talk smoothly'' Mahathir told reporters.

Mahathir said it was his first meeting with the former Indonesian strongman since 1997 the year before Suharto was forced from power after 32 years of iron-fisted rule

Mahathir, who stepp down at the cessation of October, said that there was no talk about politics or Indonesia's upcoming elections during the brief visit.

Also Saturday, Mahathir had luncheon with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and his predecessor Ali Alatas, several top Islamic leaders and the head of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais, who is single in kind of President Megawati Sukarnoputri's strongest rivals in upcoming election.

onward Friday, Mahathir was in the West Java capital of Bandung to receive an honorary doctorate from Padjajaran University for his achievements in building Malaysia's economy during his 22 years in power.

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