Mandela kisses Megawati after calling her father Soeharto

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) receives a warm kiss on the cheek from former South African president Nelson Mandela after the two held talks at the State Palace on Wednesday.

During the impromptu press briefing inside the palace, Mandela said that he came to see Megawati to get her support for his foundation which focused on health, education and conflict resolution.

He also reminisced about meeting Megawati for the first time in Jakarta in 1990, despite warnings that it would create problems with then president Soeharto.

A slight hiccup occurred when Mandela mistakenly named Soeharto as Megawati's father. Though Megawati corrected Mandela by pointing out her father was Sukarno, Indonesia's founding president, the respected world leader called Megawati's father Soeharto for a second time.

During the press briefing, Megawati held Mandela's hand as the senior statesman had to use cane to walk.

Mandela is on his four-day visit to Indonesia, which officials describe as private. He is slated to depart Jakarta on Thursday evening.