Good-bye the hardest word for Mega

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Saying good-bye is never easy, but it is especially difficult for President Megawati Soekarnoputri as she prepares to leave her childhood home, the Presidential Palace.

As her tenure officially came to an end on Tuesday, Megawati took care of some final business and bid farewell to her household staff, who have served her over the past three and a half years.

On her final day in office, Megawati signed a presidential decree appointing Anwar Nasution as the State Audit Agency chief, and signed the national social security system bill into law.

Over the last two weeks, Megawati has signed at least 18 presidential decrees and laws as she has attended to last-minute business.

Before leaving the palace on Tuesday, Megawati shook hands and said good-bye to staff from the protocol, press and household offices.

"Ibu, may we see each other again," said one staff member from the protocol office.

Then Megawati descended the front steps of the palace, climbed into her official car and waved good-bye to staff and journalists standing outside the palace.

Megawati, however, remained silent about reports she would not attend the inauguration of president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, her former chief security minister.

The somber scene at the State Palace was in stark contrast with the scene across the National Monument park at the vice presidential office, where Vice President Hamzah Haz hosted incoming vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla.

After meeting for about one hour, Hamzah introduced Kalla to the staff at the office and gave him a tour.

Kalla, however, said he would work from president Soeharto's Bina Graha office.

"I am grateful to the invitation from Pak Hamzah to visit the office today," Kalla said.

When asked whether he and Megawati would attend Susilo's inauguration, Hamzah said: "I am ready to go, but it depends on whether Ibu (Megawati) will be there or not."

Kalla said he hoped that both Megawati and Hamzah would attend the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.