Chairman of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nurwahid hoped that Suharto's trial would continue although the former president's family represented by his daughter Titik Hediyanti, has expressed an apology.

Former Indonesian dictator Suharto smiles as he leaves a hospital in Jakarta, 2005. The health of ailing Suharto is improving but he remains in a critical situation requiring further treatment, doctors have said. [AFP/File]

"Of course I think it (the apology) is part of a solution and Pak Harto and his family of course realise that his case is also a legal matter," the Indonesian news agency Antara quoted Hidayat as saying after the launching of a million Holy Al-Quran copies in Braille in Banten province Sunday.

Hidayat said Titik's statement was a step forward in solving the legal case because the people has been demanding for his apology.

"I think we should appreciate her public statement, and I hope it was also a formal statement of Pak Harto himself and his family. I believe it is considered by the Indonesian people as an effort to solve his case," the MPR chairman added.

However, Hidayat said that apart from the apology, Suharto must return his assets and money to the state.

The former president was charged in 2000 with embezzling US$419 million and Rp1.3 trillion through seven of his charity foundations during his 32 year reign of the country.

The legal proceedings had been postponed in the same year when doctors found that the former strong man had permanent brain damage following a stroke.

A 1998 MPR decree on corruption eradication explicitly requiring Suharto and his cronies be brought to justice remains in place.

Suharto, 84, has been in Pertamina hospital for two weeks for intestinal bleeding.

Suharto's condition had in the meantime improved, but he has yet to get through a crisis, head of the presidential doctors team told the press here on Sunday.

"His physical condition has improved compared to yesterday, but he has yet to pass through a crisis," Dr Djoko Rahardjo said.

He said the former president has regained consciousness and able to speak a little, despite his permanent brain damage.