THE election of Agung Laksono as Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2004-2009 period shows that the balance of political power in Senayan, site of the parliament, has not changed much. Agung, like his predecessor Akbar Tandjung, is from the Golkar Party. Among the deputy speakers, there is only one new face, Zaenal Maarif from the Reform Star Party.

Present at the opening session of the DPR, was the National Coalition, co