Unlike during the New Order period, the People’s Consultative Assembly, better known as the MPR, meets more than once in five years. In 2001, the highest state institution will display its might twice, possibly at around the same time in August, through the special session and its annual session. Both important events are estimated to cost a total of Rp40 billion bill—Rp20 billion apiece.

As national economic recovery is slowing d