Mega to perform minor pilgrimage

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her family are scheduled to depart for a minor umrah pilgrimage in Mecca on Thursday.

An official at the presidential palace said on Wednesday that Megawati would perform the pilgrimage along with a 30-strong entourage, including husband Taufik Kiemas, daughter Puan Maharani and Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil al-Munawar.

The President is slated to return home on Sunday, the day before the Constitutional Court is scheduled to decide whether to rule on eliminated presidential candidate Wiranto's claim that he was deprived of 5.4 million votes in the July 5 election. If the court rules in Wiranto's favor, he will replace Megawati, who is seeking a full five-year mandate, in the runoff.

"The trip will be short as she has a very busy schedule ahead of the second round election," the official said. --JP