Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – President Megawati Sukarnoputri on Monday met her estranged predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid in a symbolic reunion that hints at a possible alliance between the two camps ahead of the presidential election run-off.

Local media reported yesterday that the meeting, the first in three years, took place at her private residence in South Jakarta, during which she served her guest black coffee and his favourite fried cassava and boiled peanuts.

"This was really an extraordinary family meeting between Gus Dur and sister Mega," said Mr Pramono Anung, spokesman for Ms Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P).

Mr Abdurrahman later told journalists that during their 2 1/2-hour meeting, they talked about the general state of political affairs. There was no talk on the possibility of a coalition between the PDI-P and his Nation Awakening Party (PKB) for the September run-off, he said. PKB won the third most number of votes in April's legislative polls.

Among the subjects being talked about is his request to dissolve the General Elections Commission (KPU) for failing to tackle irregularities in ballot counting, Mr Abdurrahman added. "She did not say much in response – you know how she is," quipped the Muslim cleric, who once called Ms Megawati his little sister.

The meeting followed several previous talks with the President's wheeling-and-dealing husband, politician Taufiq Kiemas.

Mr Abdurrahman was ousted in July 2001 by Parliament, spearheaded by the PDI-P, for alleged graft and poor leadership. He has insisted the impeachment was unconstitutional and shunned his successor Ms Megawati during several public events.

Analysts said Monday's meeting was the beginning of a reconciliation between the two that might lead to Mr Abdurrahman throwing his much needed support for the Megawati camp in a face-off against front runner Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in September.

Mr Abdurrahman founded PKB, whose supporters are mainly members of the 35-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). He declared abstention from the July 5 presidential election in protest against the KPU's decision to ban him from running due to his visual impairment.

With two senior NU cadres, including the President's running mate Hasyim Muzadi, running on two different tickets, many NU followers opted for Mr Bambang or abstained from the July 5 poll. The other NU cadre was former general Wiranto's running mate, Mr Sallahudin Wahid.

Mr Abdurrahman's support for the Megawati-Hasyim ticket in the run-off would be a boost for the pair, especially with Golkar – the largest party in Parliament and whose candidate Wiranto is currently in third place – expected to join the camp.

Said political analyst Indra Piliang: "Symbolically, it showed that the two had moved forward to forget whatever hostilities there were between them; the friendly setting showed their longstanding friendship. Gus Dur took a major political step – although he did not say the visit is on behalf of PKB, it will have a major impact on his followers," he said.

But PKB officials yesterday maintained that the visit did not reflect the party's inclination to endorse the incumbent President's candidacy.

PKB senior official Mahfud MD told The Straits Times: "The meeting was in a personal capacity, as shown by the fact that none of the PKB officials accompanied Gus Dur. For now, PKB remains a blank piece of paper," he said. "We are still contemplating three options ahead of us: join Megawati's camp, join Bambang's camp, or stay neutral." But he admitted PKB had 'emotional ties' with Ms Megawati and her PDI-P.