Mega breaks Marriott silence, kind of

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has finally spoken publicly about Tuesday's suicide attack on the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta -- but only briefly and only after last minute panic from foreign ministry staff.

Just minutes before President Megawati Soekarnoputri was due to read a prepared speech at the 36th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN Secretariat in South Jakarta on Friday, officials realized it failed to mention the attack.

Foreign ministry officials scribbled two paragraphs about the Marriott bombing on a separate sheet of paper, while Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda informed Megawati about the additional statement.

In the end, Megawati did not read the prepared paragraphs but managed to add a few words to update her speech.

And the reference: "... and a few days ago at the Marriott Hotel Jakarta."

In keeping with her reticent style, and as she did after last year's Bali bombings, Megawati has kept to the sidelines following the latest attack in the Marriott Hotel Jakarta and has left senior security officials to do the talking. -- JP