Megawati off to overseas trip

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Tuesday left Jakarta for a nine-day trip to Japan, China and Pakistan, her seventh overseas tour this year.

The President is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Poernomo Yusgiantoro, Minister of Trade and Industry Rini M.S. Suwandi and State Minister of State-owned Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi.

In Tokyo, Megawati is slated to cochair the commemorative summit of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) and Japan and attend an investment forum.

Before flying to Pakistan, the entourage will make a stopover in Shanghai for a private visit.

Megawati is expected to return to Jakarta on Dec. 17.--JP