Jakarta – Former Indonesian president Suharto, who escaped trial for corruption on health grounds, appeared healthy as he attended the wedding of one of his grandsons.

The 85-year-old former president arrived at the At-Tien mosque shortly before the wedding of Danny Bimo Hendra Utomo, the son of his eldest daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardiayanti Rukmana, to actress Lulu Tobing, ElShinta radio said Saturday.

Suharto, who walked with a cane, appeared healthy and cheerful, a reporter said. He made no comment. However, the reporter said that he walked aided by a close aide when he entered the venue.

It was his first public appearance since he left hospital on a stretcher in May after three operations and nearly a month of treatment for stomach problems that had left him critically ill.

Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron grip until he stepped down amid mounting unrest in 1998, since when he has lived quietly at his private residence.

The former autocrat escaped trial for suspected corruption on health grounds with lawyers offering medical evidence that he could no longer hold or follow a normal conversation.

He has been hospitalised several times for intestinal bleeding, stroke and heart problems. In the last case, he spent two nights at a state hospital for anaemia following intestinal bleeding.