Indonesian former president Soeharto, who has been hospitalized since Friday, was in critical condition, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Saturday.

The team of presidential doctors were called upon to help treat Soeharto. The doctors said that "his condition is critical", Susilo told reporters.

Earlier, the doctors said that Soeharto's condition worsened overnight and he needs a second pacemaker.

He was examined in the Pertamina hospital in Jakarta on Friday after falling sick at home last week, the doctors said.

Soeharto, 86, had ruled Indonesia for 32 years before he was resigned in May 21, 1998.

He has been frequently treated in the hospital in recent years for a stroke and intestinal bleeding.

The former president who has been allegedly charged in corruption cases could not be presented in trial due to his illness of suffering from permanent brain damage and some speech loss from at least two strokes.