New Parl elects Indonesia's first female House speaker

Jakarta: Indonesia's new Parliament elected the country's first female speaker of the House of Representatives after being sworn in Tuesday amid sometimes-violent protests against several new or proposed laws, including one that weakens the country's anti-corruption agency. Puan Maharani, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the largest party in Parliament known by its Indonesian initials PDIP, was unanimously elected House speaker. The 46-year-old politician has served as coordinating minister for human development and cultural affairs in President Joko Widodo's Cabinet since 2014.

She is the daughter of former President and current PDIP leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, and a granddaughter of Indonesian founding President Sukarno.

Tuesday's ceremony included 575 lawmakers from nine political parties. The lawmakers will be under immediate pressure to revisit the controversial legislation, including a proposed new criminal code as well as bills on mining, land and labour.