Megawati Soekarnoputri

The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri was born in
Yogyakarta, 23 January 1947. Prior to her appointment as president, she was the 8th Vice
President under Abdurrahman Wahid administration. Megawati is the eldest daughter of the
first President who is also proclaimer, Sukarno and Fatmawati. Megawati, was originally
married to pilot Air Force Flight Lieutenant one, Surendro and blessed with two sons named
Mohammad Prananda and Mohammad Rizki Pratama.

At a military assignment, in 1970, in East Indonesia, a pilot Surendro with his military plane
was missing in action. Agony matchless, while her children still small and babies. However,
the agony was not prolonged, three years later, Mega is married to a man named Taufik
Kiemas, from Ogan Komiring Ulu, Palembang. Her familys life increases in happy, with
blessed by a daughter Puan Maharani. Megawati's childhood life is passed in the State Palace.
Since childhood, Megawati has been nimble and likes to play ball with his brother Guntur.
As a girl, Megawati has the hobby of dancing and often shown in front of state guests who
visited the Palace.

Women's with full name Dyah Permata Megawati Sukarnoputri started her education, from
elementary to high school at Cikini University, Jakarta. Meanwhile, she had studied at two
universities, namely the Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University, Bandung (1965-
1967) and the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia (1970-1972). Although she was
born from a family of politicians topnotch, Mbak Mega - close calls for her supporters - were
not regarded expert in the political world. In fact, Megawati was underestimated by her
friends and her political opponents. She even considered a newcomer in politics, which was
new in 1987. At that time, the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), placing it as one of her
legislative candidates from the electoral district of Central Java, to boost the sound.
The entry of Megawati into politics which means she has denied her family agreed not to
plunge into politics. Traumatic politics of her family was crashed by her. Megawati's
campaign appears to be excellent in the PDI, although classified as not much to say. Sure
enough, it worked. Vote for the PDI rose. And she was elected to the house of parliament
(DPR / MPR). In the same year, Megawati was elected as Chairman of DPC PDI Central
Jakarta.

However, the presence of Megawati at the house of parliament building DPR/MPR did not
seem to feel. Apparently, Megawati known that she was still in under pressure. In addition to
her silent behavior, she also chose not to stand out considering the political situation at that
time. So she selected more to lobby political representatives of the people outside the
building. Her political lobby which was silent operation, whether directly or indirectly has led
to rising political star in the world of Mega. In 1993 she was elected as the chairman of DPP
PDI. This was very surprising the government at that time.

The process of increase of Mega was an interesting story. At that time, PDI Congress in
Medan ended without producing any decisions. The Government supported Budi Hardjono to
replace Soerjadi. Then, followed by the Extraordinary Congress held in Surabaya. At this
congress, the name appeared and by a landslide Mega outperformed Budi Hardjono, the
candidates which backed by the government. Megawati was elected as general chairman of
PDI. Then the status of Mega as general chairman of PDI boosted again by the National
Congress of PDI in Jakarta.

But the government refused and considered illegal. Therefore, in subsequent trips, the
government supported the strength to pry Mega as general chairman of PDI. Fatimah Ahmad
cs, for the support of government, held a PDI congress in Medan in 1996, to raise back
Soerjadi. But Mega was not easily conquered. Because Mega clearly stated do not admitted
the Congress in Medan. Mega firmly declared herself as the legitimate general chairman of
PDI. DPP PDI headquarters on Jalan Diponegoro, as a symbol of the legitimate existence of
the DPP, controlled by Mega.
Supporters of Megawati did not want to recede a single step. They still try to maintain that
office.

Soerjadi who supported by the government also gave the threat to seize by force of PDI
office. The threat could become reality. Morning, dated July 27, 1996 Soerjadi group actually
won the PDI headquarters from Megawatis supporters. However, it did not dampen Megas
step. In fact, she's getting resistance raising the action. Political pressure against Mega was
very naked, inviting empathy and sympathy from the wider community.

Mega continued to struggle. PDI became two. Namely, PDI under the leadership of Megawati
and PDI under the leadership of Soerjadi. The mass of PDI was more impartial and admitted
to Mega. However, the government admitted Soerjadi as legitimate general chairman of PDI.
As a result, PDI under the leadership of Megawati could not joint the Election 1997. After the
New Order regime collapsed, PDI Mega changed its name to Democratic Party of Struggle. A
political party bearing the white bull-mouthed fat and managed to win the 1999 elections by
winning over thirty percent of the vote. PDIP victory put Mega on the position of the most
worthy to be president than any other party cadres. But it turns out of general assembly of
MPR 1999, Mega lose.

But the second place was apparently a later stage in time to stabilize Mega on the number one
position in this country. For less than two years, precisely dated July 23, 2001 members of the
Assembly MPR by acclamation placed Megawati to sit as the 5th President replacing KH
Abdurrahman Wahid. Megawati became president until October 20, 2003. Having finished
her period of work, Megawati re-run as the president in a direct presidential election in 2004.
However, she failed to return as president after losing from Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who
eventually became the 6th President. (From Various Sources)