Megawati turns 56, hundreds turn out in support

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.