MPR chauffeurs have their day

JAKARTA (JP): What do chauffeurs of members of the Cabinet or People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) do when their bosses are busy attending the proceedings?

They watch them together on television.

During Monday's opening session, the chauffeurs gathered in the lobby of the main building and attentively watched the proceedings on television. Most seemed quite involved, as if watching a political soap opera.

Whenever Assembly Speaker Amien Rais made a remark in favor of President Abdurrahman Wahid or when the President cracked a joke, they cheered loudly and clapped their hands.

However, when the cameras zoomed in on drowsy-looking Assembly members they booed quite loudly.

But the minute the session looked like it was about to end, they hurriedly deserted the area for their respective limousines, ready to resume their duties. (dja)