Senior legislators passed mental test

JAKARTA (JP): Old faces in the People's Consultative Assembly prove they can match their younger colleagues during the General Session now underway, thanks in part to mental tests they once undertook.

Senior politician Sabam Sirait of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle could not avoid disclosing the perhaps unusual story when intervening a debate in an Ad Hoc Committee II session he presided over on Wednesday.

"In 1971, all legislative candidates underwent a mandatory test at Grogol Mental Hospital. Sadly not many of you know this," 75-year-old Sabam told the floor, most of whom are dozens of years his junior.

The mental examination is no longer used.

"I agreed to the procedure because Mrs. Aisyah Amini complied with it too," he said to the smiling face of United Development Party member Aisyah who sat next to him.

Both Sabam and Aisyah are two of a few long-time Assembly legislators. Unlike West Sumatra native Aisyah, Sabam took two year's leave in 1997 following a split in his former party, the Indonesian Democratic Party. (amd)