MPR session unheeded in Padang

JAKARTA (JP): The acrimonious debate in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has made the headlines since the Annual Session began on Monday, but unlike most citizens nationwide, people in Padang mayoralty appear to have turned a deaf ear to the event.

Antara reported on Tuesday that people were avidly following TV and radio broadcasts only to see how things developed in a number of land disputes.

In some government and private offices as well as universities, no scenes of crowds of people rushing to a TV set to watch the special broadcast of MPR Annual Session were in evidence. It was business as usual for most people.

Local councilors missed the special TV broadcast as they were busy listening to complaints from people who came to the legislative body in groups. Other councilors were seen chatting with each other.

A number of academicians from the Bung Hatta University were reluctant to comment on the MPR session now underway in Jakarta. "We have no time to follow the Assembly Annual Session because of our extra work load," one of the scholars, noted constitutional law expert Boy Yendra Tamin, said. (amd)