'RRI' journalist writes Mega's story

JAKARTA: Senior radio journalist Fredy Ndolu launched on Monday the biography of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Titled Dia (She), the book is based on the author's personal experience while assigned by state radio station RRI to interview Megawati on numerous occasions since the time she was appointed vice president in 1999.

He denied speculation that the book had been funded by the Megawati campaign team to help boost her image ahead of the Sept. 20 presidential election runoff. Ndolu said he funded the publication himself.

Some of Megawati's supporters have protested the book's cover, which depicts the uncharacteristically stern face of the incumbent president. They fear the cover could affect Megawati's image. -- JP