Megawati cancels visits to Maluku, Aceh

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri has canceled her official visits to Maluku and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam for security reasons, sources at the State Palace said on Tuesday.

She was previously invited by Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh to visit the ravaged province from Dec. 21 to 23 for a gathering with local Muslim leaders and to inaugurate several development projects there.

The president was also set to visit on Dec. 26 the province of Maluku, which also saw its share of conflict and bloodshed in recent years for a post-Christmas celebration. It would have been her first official visit to Maluku since she assumed office two years ago.

Palace sources would only say the cancellations were for "security reasons."

Additionally, the president has opted out of other official engagements in January, but she is scheduled to make a holiday trip with her family to Cipanas Presidential Palace in West Java from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3. The first family will celebrate the birthday of Taufik Kiemas, who is Megawati's husband. -- JP