Megawati turns 56, hundreds turn out in support

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri celebrated her 56th birthday on Thursday, as she attempted to boost her parties flagging political support.

Hundreds of supporters from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) gathered outside the President's home on Jl. Teuku Umar in Menteng early Thursday morning.

Hundreds of flower bouquets, including one from Gen. (retired) Wiranto, who was accused of involvement in the recent anti- government rallies, arrived at the residence.

Dancers performed a Papuan' dance in front of her home as the supporters waited for her to come out and greet them.

Megawati spent 30 minutes with the supporters before she was whisked away to Merdeka Palace where she had a family picture taken.

After the shoot, Megawati, dressed in a maroon Malay gown, invited journalists to wish her a happy birthday, and to have lunch with her family.

She expressed reconciliatory gestures after blasting the media for "unbalanced reporting" on Tuesday.

No special dishes were served at Merdeka Palace, just a small nasi tumpeng (rice cone) and several cakes prepared for the presidential family.

In the evening, a special party was organized at her residence by PDI Perjuangan cadres.