Tue, 08 Aug 2000

Picturesque MPR to educate public

JAKARTA (JP): Is there anybody who doesn't know who People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais is?

Apparently, the National Information Agency believes many still do not.

That is why they are displaying one-meter-high pictures of Amien, along with those of Assembly deputies, under spotlights inside the front entrance of the Assembly building.

"We just wanted to provide information about the Assembly as this is the first annual session in the country's history. Putting their pictures up will make the general public familiar with their representatives," the agency's stand guide, Onytra, said.

However, when asked why a picture of House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung was not displayed, she simply said "I don't know; they (the Agency) did not provide Pak Akbar's picture".

It is unclear how the general public can be educated by the display as only those with special passes can get into the building. (dja)