House speaker to launch book as parting gift

Outgoing House Speaker Agung Laksono on Monday plans to launch a book highlighting his experiences while leading the country’s legislative body over the last five years.
 
“The book speaks about my ups and downs as the House speaker. I want people and the media to consider this book my farewell gift,” Agung said.
 
Agung acknowledged the House’s reputation in the eyes of the people remained far from ideal.
 
“However, I want to say thank you to both the media and the public for continuously giving the House advice in the form of criticism. It is the public’s right to say we are still far from living up to their expectations, but I also want to underline that we have done our best,” he said.
 
“Even though we are unlikely to meet our target of producing 284 laws at the end of our term this month, we have been more productive than the previous House.”
 
Under Agung’s leadership, the House passed 178 bills into law and may endorse two more bills by the end of its tenure on Sept. 30. The previous House produced 175 laws during its five years in office.
 
Agung said the current House had produced more laws related to public interests than the previous lawmakers.
 
“The previous House endorsed 77 laws that concerned regional division, which was more than the 60 we passed. This means we produced more people-related laws,” he said. (hdt)