The People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR) swore in Zulkifli Hasan, the former Minister of Forestry of the National Mandate Party (PAN), as the new speaker of the MPR for the 2014-2019 period on October 8, along with four new deputy speakers.

Zulkifli was elected with 347 votes in favour and 330 against.

Zulkifli Hasan is elected as the new speaker of the MPR for the 2014-2019 period

The MPR’s four new deputy speakers are Oesman Sapta of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), Mahyuddin of the Golkar Party, E.E. Mangindaan of the Democratic Party, and Hidayat Mur Wahid of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

The MPR is one of the highest governing bodies in Indonesia, comprising the 560 members of the House of Representatives (DPR- Parliament) and the 130 members of the People’s Representative Council (DPR).

The MPR has the right to devise and amend the country’s constitution and elect or impeach the president.

(Source: VNA)