Taufik prays for Hindu priest

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband Taufik Kiemas expressed condolences for the death of Bali's highest Hindu priest Ida Pedanda Rsi Agung Penatih in Denpasar, Bali on Thursday.

Taking time from his family vacation on the resort island, Taufik visited the Puri Agung Penatih temple, to pay his respects.

The noted Hindu priest died at the age of 98-years-old on Sunday and will be cremated on Feb. 25 next year. It is the Balinese custom not to immediately cremate the dead.

Ida Pedanda had served as a Hindu priest since 1940 when he was just 34-years-old.

Taufik stayed at the temple for two hours and prayed in front of the remains of the high priest.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri and her family have been vacationing in Bali since Wednesday and are slated to return to Jakarta on Sunday. --Antara