Jakarta. Puan Maharani was reappointed as the House of Representatives speaker on Tuesday for another five-year term in a plenary session attended by outgoing President Joko Widodo and his successor Prabowo Subianto.

The law on the legislature stipulates that the house speakership is reserved for the party that won the most votes in the last election.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which won just above 16 percent of the vote, reappointed Puan for the position.

Her four deputies represent different political parties based on the election outcomes, including Adies Kadir of the Golkar Party, Sufmi Dasco of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Saan Mustopa of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), and Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Like Puan, Sufmi has been holding the role since 2019.

Earlier in the day, 580 House members including 360 newcomers from eight major parties were inaugurated alongside 152 senators representing 38 provinces by Chief Justice Muhammad Syarifuddin.

Puan is the daughter of PDI-P Chairwoman and former President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

In her acceptance speech, Puan urged lawmakers of the 2024-29 period to “improve public trust in the legislature” and “defend its honor and noble duties” in guarding democracy.

All representatives must possess empathy and sensitivity toward compelling issues facing the people, she said.

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