Mega hosts gathering at her 'new' residence

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri hosted a breaking of the fast gathering on Tuesday evening at her 'new residence' on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, followed by prayers.

Hundreds of guests came to the gathering held in the house at Jl. Teuku Umar No. 33, next to Megawati's official residence at Jl. Teuku Umar Nos. 27 and 29.

Megawati's siblings, including Guntur, Sukmawati and Guruh were among the guests, along with dozens of leaders of Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Noted preacher Abdullah Gymanstiar delivered the sermon after the breaking of the fast meal.

It was not immediately clear if the President's family or the state has bought or rented the House for Megawati.

The wall that previously separated the house from Megawati's official residence has been dismantled, allowing people to walk freely from No. 29 to No. 33, which was previously believed to belong to businessman Sys N.S.

Sys, when contacted by The Jakarta Post on Tuesday evening, said that the house belonged to his in-laws, who had already moved two months ago to their other house on Jl. Cimahi, Central Jakarta.

"But, I'm not sure if the house is being rented out or borrowed by the President's family," said Sys, who is also a member of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the country's highest legislative body.

"I don't think the house was sold. But my in-laws are also long-time friends of the President's family, so everything is possible," Sys said.

No official announcement has been made so far about the President's latest residential circumstances.