Megawati takes in quick trip to Blitar

JAKARTA (JP): Amid the political uproar in the capital, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri made a sudden visit to the grave of her father, founding president Sukarno, in Blitar, East Java on Sunday.

The one-day trip was not scheduled with the Vice President's secretariat as many staff members at the office knew nothing about the trip to the province.

She arrived at her father's grave at Bendogerit village, Blitar at 10:30 a.m.

Megawati was not accompanied by her family or close aides. She was escorted by city officials to the grave's compound.

Antara reported that she stayed at the grave compound for nearly an hour before she held talks with Blitar Mayor Djarot S. Legowo and other city officials.

However, none of the officials were willing to disclose the contents of the one-hour discussion.

Megawati, who is also the chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) was actually scheduled to visit Blitar on May 20 after attending the 28th anniversary of the party in Malang, East Java.

However, she canceled the trip due to the heated political situation in the capital.

The Vice President left for Malang at 12:15 p.m., where she then flew back to Jakarta.

First president Sukarno was born and buried in Blitar and Megawati has been to the town many times to visit her father's grave.

June 6 is the centenary of Sukarno's birth. (dja)