Amien Rais' new book offers humor

JAKARTA: A compilation of anecdotes and witticisms from People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais was launched on Thursday.

Guru Salimin (Teacher Salimin) features 60 stories of Amien, a presidential aspirant of the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Salimin was the religion teacher at Amien's elementary school in the Central Java town of Surakarta.

Abdillah Toha, publisher of the book and a PAN deputy chairman, said a compilation of anecdotes from a national leader would always draw interest.

Another political figure widely known for his jokes is former president Abdurrahman Wahid, who also published a compilation of anecdotes.

Muslim scholar Muslim Abdurrahman commented that the book proved Amien was far more human than he had been in the past, and said Amien was a leader who managed to blend seriousness with his ability to crack a joke.

It is the seventh book about Amien written by Muhammad Najib. -- JP