SBY greets Megawati in ceremony at MPR

  Greetings: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) shakes hands with Indonesia’s fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri (center) at the House of Representatives complex in Jakarta on Tuesday during the commemoration of the speech of the country's first president, Sukarno, on the state ideology Pancasila given on June 1, 1945. Antara/Widodo S. Jusuf

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono greeted his predecessor Megawati Soekarnoputri when he delivered his speech during a ceremony at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Tuesday.

"Honorable Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri," Yudhoyono said, as he began his speech to pay respect to those attending the event, held to commemorate the founding fathers’ declaration of Pancasila as the state ideology.
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It was the first time the two national figures, who twice competed in a furious race for the presidency in 2004 and 2009, had turned up for an event hosted by the MPR in the last six years.

Yudhoyono and Megawati started their bitter rivalry when the former decided to go for the presidency in 2004. Previously, Yudhoyono was one of Megawati's most trusted aides.

Yudhoyono then defeated Megawati in 2004 and 2009 presidential elections.

Earlier, Megawati’s presence was applauded by hundreds of MPR members and guests attending the event.

Yudhoyono was seen talking to MPR Speaker Taufik Kiemas, who is Megawati’s husband, when Megawati’s name was announced among the distinguished guests. “Over there,” Taufik said, pointing  to the row where Megawati and other former state officials were seated.

Taufik Kiemas said he was very happy to see his wife shaking hands with her bitter political rival.

"However, don't hug her or I will be mad," Taufik jokingly told reporters at the People's Consultative Assembly in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Former vice presidents Jusuf Kalla, Hamzah Haz and Try Sutrisno were also present in the ceremony to mark the historic speech by president Sukarno on Pancasila as the state ideology 65 years ago.