A state prosecutor representing the government in the civil lawsuit against Suharto said Tuesday (Jan 22) the former president's demise would not put an end to case, unless the compensation demand was paid.

"According to our civil law, debts will never be settled unless they are paid. So, Suharto's burden will be inherited by his family members once he dies," prosecutor Yoseph Suardi Sabda said in an anti-corruption workshop.

The 86-year-old former strongman has been fighting multiple organ failure since his arrival at Pertamina Hospital on Jan 4. His health has fluctuated daily since then.

The government has dropped criminal charges against Suharto due to permanent illness that makes him unable to stand trial. Attorney General Hendarman Supandji, however, said the civil suit against Suharto would continue.

The government is seeking to recoup US$240 million and Rp 185.9 billion ($19.67 million) in state money allegedly misused by his foundations.

According to Yoseph, the Suharto wealth civil proceedings will conclude in the next two weeks, with a ruling expected from South Jakarta district court after two more hearings.

Suharto and his family or the government could appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Under the law, the government could confiscate Suharto's assets pending a final decision from the court.

Suharto showed no signs of improvement Tuesday. Doctors said his blood pressure, consciousness and heart and lung function remained stable, but that the ex-president was yet to overcome a newly developed problem with his digestive system.

Yoseph said while the government was seeking to confiscate over Rp 10 trillion worth of Suharto's assets, it would only be able to seize a fraction of that amount, including several old buildings in Jakarta, due to substantial difficulties in tracing other assets.

"If Suharto dies we can confiscate assets of his family members because they will be held responsible pending the final decision of the court. If we win the case then the assets will become the property of the state," he said.

All of Suharto's children are believed to be billionaires and own companies ranging from media outlets to banking and automotive companies.

Although such data is still difficult to verify, Suharto is listed in the UN's StAR (Stolen Assets Recovery) initiative document, as having wrongly appropriated between $15- and $35 billion-worth of public assets during his 32 years in power.