HE is the face of the old school in the new legislature. He served three terms in the House of Representatives (DPR) under Suharto's New Order. Indeed, Agung Laksono, 55, is a veteran politician. But his job as DPR Speaker for the 2004-2009 term is quite different.

He heads a divided DPR. The National Coalition, comprising the two biggest parties: Golkar and PDI-P, is on one side, while on the other side is the People's Coalition: a conglomer