Mega visits Ali Sadikin

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri paid a courtesy call to former Jakarta governor and public figure Ali Sadikin at his residence on Thursday.

A presidential aide said the visit was not scheduled and caused the one-hour delay of a function at the State Palace, where Megawati was due to open a national meeting of the Attorney General's Office.

Ali brushed aside speculation that the visit was politically motivated.

He said that during the 30-minute visit, the President had inquired about his health.

Ali, then a marine general, was appointed by Megawati's father founding president Sukarno, as Jakarta governor in 1966. He served until 1977. -- JP.