Presidential race stirs housemaid

JAKARTA (JP): While politicians are negotiating, and to some extent fighting, over the next president at the People's Consultative Assembly, ordinary people are feeling the excitement.

A housemaid of former Cabinet minister Siswono Yudohusodo is one of them.

Siswono told reporters on Monday how one of his housemaids claimed to be stressed waiting for the country's new president.

"She always asks me about who will be the president," Siswono, who represents the interest group faction, said as quoted by Antara.

He said what his servant was suffering proved that the political process at the Assembly drew enthusiasm from people from all walks of life.

"That's also the reason why students take to the streets. They are just exercising their responsibility to care for the state's future," he said.