Legislators to return after long recess period

The House of Representatives has ended its recess period by holding a general meeting on Monday to mark the beginning of the fourth deliberation period for the 2010-2011 term.

At 10 a.m., however, only few members of the House of Representatives had arrived at the meeting scheduled to commence at 9 a.m., kompas.com reported Monday.

The House has faced mounting public criticism of its members, often questioning their professionalism and comparatively large salaries.

In a written copy of his opening speech handed out to the media before the meeting, House Speaker Marzuki Ali promised that the House would focus on its deliberation of bills left untouched in the previous sessions.