Former Indonesian dictator Suharto is reported to be in a "serious condition" in hospital.
Suharto, who was ousted after 32 years in power in 1998 amid nationwide riots and student protests, underwent surgery two weeks ago to stem intestinal bleeding.
Doctors said tests conducted yesterday revealed sharp deterioration in the tissues of his brain.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Suharto, whose regime was widely regarded as one of most corrupt and brutal of the 20th century, for about 20 minutes early Friday.
He told reporters it was his "moral duty" to do so.
Suharto, 84, still has many powerful supporters in the government, parliament and military. The country's attorney general last week agreed to drop corruption charges against him.
The former strongman was indicted in 2000 on allegations of embezzling $600 million. But Suharto's lawyers argued successfully for years that a series of strokes had left him with irreparable brain damage and that he was not fit to stand trial.
Doctors said yesterday's tests showed that Suharto's condition has sharply deteriorated in the last year.
Fifty student demonstrators rallied in the city of Yogyakarta on Friday, chanting "Hang Suharto" and "Try him!" Protests were also scheduled in the capital Jakarta later in the day and over the weekend.