Mateseh: Indonesian military and police rushed to prepare the Suharto mausoleum in Java on Saturday as former president Suharto lay critically ill in hospital.

Doctors said Suharto’s condition had improved, but workmen were busy preparing the former leader’s grave at the guarded mausoleum northeast of Solo.

Reporters in Solo were also issued with press IDs saying "Press - Funeral of Grand General (Retired) H.M. Soeharto".

"We are anticipating all possibilities. It is part of the police job," said Dodi Sumantyawan, the central Java police chief.

The Giribangun mausoleum, a three-tiered building with wooden pillars and a stupa-like roof, is perched on a hilltop and surrounded by trees.

Suharto's wife Tien, who was a member of the Solo royal family, is buried there in a chamber with walls of intricately carved wood.