Suwarjono, Jakarta – Don’t miss an opportunity, that’s the journalist’s motto and this includes the final moments in the lead-up to the “finals” of the second-round of the presidential election. Almost no activity by the two presidential candidates has escaped coverage by journalists, either the activities of incumbent President Megawati Sukarnoputri or presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono often referred to as SBY.

One interesting incident in the lead-up to this final was when Megawati was giving a speech addressing the second-round of the presidential election at the state palace in Central Jakarta on Monday September 19. While waiting for the president to give the speech, several journalists asked a staff member if they could be photographed with the president. “As a momentum in case Megawati looses, who knows [this may be] Mega’s last speech at the state palace”, interjected several journalists who were on duty at the palace.

In the end, after Megawati had delivered her speech journalists immediately asked for a joint photograph. Megawati who was still standing at the podium just smiled and did what the 50 or so print and electronic journalists wanted. But because there were so many of them Megawati wasn’t visible. “Take turns, women journalists first then the men”, said a press bureau staff member.

A number of comments were heard such as a joint photograph with Megawati is a rare event and that it is even possible that this is the first such occurrence since Megawati became president. “Since I’ve worked at the state palace, yeah, only now [have I been] photographed with Mega”, said Farid a reporter from a radio station. (jon)

[Translated by James Balowski.]