Supporters give more than words

JAKARTA (JP): It was a nerve-racking count of votes for the vice presidency when Megawati Soekarnoputri was pitted against Hamzah Haz on Thursday.

But laughter was not brushed aside, as some members of the People's Consultative Assembly demonstrated in the comments they wrote on their ballots in favor of Megawati, chairwoman of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

They were requested just to write down a name, but some die- hard Megawati supporters composed affectionate phrases.

"Beloved mother Megawati," one ballot read. Others read: "Our vice president (is) Megawati", "Mega OK" and "Mega dong (certainly)".

Megawati eventually won 396 votes to claim the post, some consolation for the presidency she missed out on Wednesday. (amd)