Indonesian Assembly Special Session OpensIndonesia's highest law-making body, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), accelerated the election of the new president on Monday, ignoring the decree issued by President Abdurrahman Wahid.Wahid announced the issuance of a decree freezing the parliament and the Golkar Party at 01:10 a.m. on Monday. The special MPR session opened at 08:20 a.m. Monday, one hour early than the original schedule. "Because of the extraordinary political developments there will be a change in the schedule of the special MPR session. If it runs smoothly, we probably will have new president by noon on Monday," MPR Chairman Amien Rais told reporters. Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Social Affairs Agum Gumelar attended the meeting. It was reported that new president's swearing-in ceremony for new president will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday |
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