Mega to perform minor pilgrimage

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