A leading Indonesian rights group joined the fray in the public debate about President Megawati Sukarnoputri's plan to drop graft charges against former dictator Suharto, saying it will sound the death toll on justice in the country.

The executive chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), Hendardi, said scrapping the trial would give the impression that justice was only for common people. "For state officials or their family who engage in crimes, the law is not black and white but has grey areas," Hendardi said. "Should president Megawati go ahead with according the abolition, it will sound the death toll on our judicial system," he said.

Officials report Megawati is mulling scrapping the multi-billion-dollar graft case for reasons of compassion, citing Suharto's advanced age and his deterioriating health.

Suharto has been hospitalized for a bout of pneumonia since December 17 but one of his close aides told AFP on Wednesday that although the health of the former head of state was improving, his condition was still far from stable.

Hendardi said: "An unpunished crime is a crime on its own." A trial would give justice to the victims and discourage other criminals, he added.