Former president Megawati celebrates modest birthday

Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri was celebrating her 64th birthday, which fell on Monday, by relaxing at her residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta, with her husband, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Taufiq Kiemas.

“Mas Taufiq is feeling unwell and is a bit tired. If there were a birthday party, he would have to be involved in long talks with guests and wouldn’t be able to rest,” Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Ribka Tjiptaning said Monday as quoted by tempo.co.

According to Ribka, there was only a humble birthday lunch attended by a few guests, including senior party officials and family members.

“There was no special attire, nothing. No-one brought [Megawati] her favorite fried duck either,” she said, citing that the lunch party only lasted for two hours.

Megawati usually celebrates her birthday by inviting hundreds of people, mostly party members.

Separately, PDI-P politician Maruarar Sirait said he hoped that Megawati would still be an inspiration.

“I hope that Bu Mega will still be an inspiration regarding democracy and diversity,” he said. (swd/mtq)