Mega takes day off after return from Mecca

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri took the day off on Monday, canceling all scheduled activities upon returning from a minor haj pilgrimage.

Megawati, who arrived on Monday morning from a three-day pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, was scheduled to receive a number of guests, including visiting Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, members of the Indonesian-Chinese intellectuals community and to preside over a limited Cabinet meeting.

However, she canceled her appointments upon arrival at Halim Perdanakusumah air base at 6:30 a.m. "The President is too tired," a palace press officer said on Monday.

Megawati, who was accompanied by close family members, left Jakarta for Saudi Arabia on Thursday and was scheduled to return home Sunday evening.

She decided to delay her flight back home in order to meet with the Indonesian community in Jeddah.

During the meeting with around 100 Indonesians at the embassy, President Megawati urged all Indonesian migrants to register with the embassy.

"How can the government assist you if there is no record of your existence?" the President said during the meeting as quoted by detik.com.

She ate lunch with the Indonesian community at the embassy before departing for Jakarta.

During her visit, Megawati stayed at King Fahd's Guest House. However, she did not meet with any Saudi Arabia leaders as she went there solely for a minor pilgrimage.

The presidential entourage included Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas, daughter Puan Maharani and Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Munawar.

Upon her arrival on Monday, the President was greeted by several Cabinet members, including Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Minister of Trade and Industry Rini Soewandi.

Megawati spent all day at her official residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, before attending the celebration of Singapore's National Day later in the afternoon.