Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- Former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, general chairwoman of the Central Directive Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, expressed deep condolences Monday on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

"For me, His Excellency Kim Jong Il was a figure of a leader who had a strong character in his political belief and heavily fought for maintaining the sovereignty of his country," Megawati said in a condolence statement.

"Under his leadership, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea could face heavy challenges and even could stand on their own feet in the economic sector thanks to the unity between the people and their leader," she added.

She wrote she felt "a very huge loss."

"Our relations as brother and sister had been lasting very long," she said.

"I believe that the passing away of Kim Jong Il will not weaken every effort to create peace on the Korean Peninsula," Megawati said.