Megawati may attend Susilo's inauguration

Kurniawan Hari and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Departing President Megawati Soekarnoputri has yet to congratulate president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, but relations between the two are cordial enough that it appears Megawati will attend the swearing-in ceremony of her former security minister.

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid said on Friday his office had sent an invitation to Megawati for the swearing-in ceremony on Oct. 20.

"We sent an invitation to Ibu Megawati on Thursday," Hidayat said.

However, an official at the Presidential Palace said an invitation to the ceremony had been received last week. Another source confirmed the President would likely attend the event at the Assembly. Several foreign leaders are also expected at the ceremony.

Megawati's willingness to accept the invitation shows she is a "stateswoman", Hidayat said.

The President has been roundly criticized for her refusal to congratulate Susilo on his election victory, or to meet with him to help ensure a smooth transfer of power. However, she has ordered all of her ministers to prepare reports that will be given to their successors. The new Cabinet is also scheduled to be sworn in on Oct. 20.

Hidayat said that during the ceremony Megawati would sit next to Susilo, beside the Assembly leaders. Outgoing Vice President Hamzah Haz and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla are also to attend the ceremony.

Hidayat said it would be "respectful" for Megawati to attend the inauguration of Susilo.

This tradition began in 1999, when outgoing president B.J. Habibie attended the inauguration of Abdurrahman Wahid as the country's fourth president.

Invitations to the ceremony for foreign dignitaries are being organized by the Assembly, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said.

Marty also confirmed on Friday that Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would attend the inauguration.

"We appreciate and welcome their initiative to attend the ceremony," he said. He said Japan would also send a special envoy to the inauguration.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri of East Timor, whose separation from Indonesia in 1999 was marked by bloodshed, has also confirmed his attendance.

The Assembly's secretariat is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Police on protocol and security for the ceremony.

Megawati's running mate in the presidential election, Hasyim Muzadi, said he would attend the inauguration if he was invited by the Assembly.

When asked about a possible meeting between Susilo and Megawati, Hasyim said: "As far as I know there has yet to be any invitation from Susilo to meet with Megawati. I think it would be better if the winner took the initiative to invite his predecessor."