Irman Gusman Leads Regional Representative Council

Jakarta, Oct 3 (Antara) - Irman Gusman was re-elected as Chairman of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) for the the 2014-2019 period. The inauguration of the new chairman was held on Thursday at the House of Representatives building in Central Jakarta. Chairman of the Supreme Court Agung Hatta Ali led the inauguration ceremony. During the election process, Irman Gusman gained 66 votes, while Farouk Muhammad gained 53 votes, and three votes abstained. Irman was selected after two rounds of elections, by setting aside Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas who obtained 32 votes in the first round. After validation results of the trial, a number of DPD members congratulated Irman Gusman and echoed prayers. Earlier, Irman Gusman was elected as Chairman of the Regional Representative Council`s (DPD) for the the 2009-2014 period. Irman Gusman was a member of the Regional Representative Council`s (DPD) from West Sumatra. He gained 407.443 votes in the 2014 elections. Previously, Golkar party`s politician Setya Novanto was elected the chairman of the House of Representatives for the 2014-2019 period. The inauguration of the new chairman was held on Thursday morning at the House of Representatives building in Central Jakarta. Chairman of the Supreme Court Agung Hatta Ali led the inauguration ceremony. "The job of the chairman of the parliament is tough but very noble. I promise to work hard. I also call on the people to help us by giving constructive criticism that will motivate us to work hard," Setya remarked. Earlier, during the election process on Thursday morning, Setya Novanto received the support of the Red-White Coalition (KMP) in the parliament comprising parties such as the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra), Golkar, Democrat, National Mandate Party (PAN), Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS), and the United Development Party (PPP). In the meantime, the members of another coalition comprising the Indonesian Democracy Party of Struggle (PDIP), National Awakening Party (PKB), People`s Conscience Party (Hanura), and the National Democrat staged a walkout during the election to protest against the leader of the Thursday`s election Popong Otje Djunjunan, a Golkar party politician whom they believed was not democratic.