HOUSE LEADERSHIP TRYING TO IMPROVE PARLIAMENT'S IMAGE

Jakarta, Dec 4 (ANTARA) - House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Marzuki Ali said the House leadership was now continuously trying to improve the institution's image and strengthen it by inculcating its members with certain basic human values.

The touch of basic human values was being given through the implementation of an ESQ (spiritual emotional quotient) program for House members, Marzuki said in a speech at the closing of the parliament's first plenary session in 2009 here on Friday.

Marzuki said the touch of basic human values given to House members as a form of strengthening the spiritual beliefs, strengthening the identity in building character and maintaining their morality in order to become more reliable representatives of the people.

Through the touch of basic human values, he said, House members were expected to become more credible, responsive and aspirational toward public issues, and more responsible to God Almighty and the nation.

He said further that the ESQ training for House members was being held in stages.

The first stage of the ESQ training was participated in by some 150 House members in the Tower 165 Jakarta on November 28-29 this year, he added.