IN a black Alphard car, Puan Maharani, 36, was deep in thought. Moments later, the only daughter of Megawati Soekarnoputri spoke to Bambang Wuryanto, who was sitting at her side. “I want to know about Solo’s original art,” she said.

Bambang was surprised. He was not expecting the crown princess of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to suddenly feel the urge to learn about Solo’s art. Unfortunately, it was late at night.