Vitamins for MPR deputy speaker

JAKARTA (JP): Everyone has their secret potions, including People's Consultative Assembly deputy speaker Sucipto.

In order to keep fit during the long sessions, Sucipto takes a daily dose of Vitamin A, Vitamin E and honey.

"I have been taking honey for a long time, but I added vitamins during the sessions," Sucipto, who is also secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), said.

He claims that he rarely feels sleepy in proceedings as a result.

But on the odd time or two that he feels his eyes closing, a friend comes along to help.

Sucipto recalled that in one session when he looked sleepy a fellow legislator sent over a tin of sweets.

"At that time I felt very sleepy. My friend apparently saw me and sent over the pastilles (through an Assembly usher) with a small note which said 'To drive away the drowsiness'".(jun)