Jakarta – The first People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) plenary session to swear in new members of the representative body on Friday was marked by several protests.

Shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Gandung Pardiman, a Regional Representatives Council (DPD) member from Yogyakarta, interrupted the forum to ask why President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had failed to attend the ceremony.

Yudhoyono flew to Padang, West Sumatra, instead, to directly oversee mitigation efforts following an earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives and caused major damages.

He returned to Jakarta later on Friday. Vice President Jusuf Kalla was present at both inauguration ceremonies.

House Speaker Marzuki Alie, who presided over the session as the interim MPR leader, explained to Gandung that the President had decided to fly to Padang upon arriving from the United States after he learned about the severe impact of the earthquake. Marzuki represents the Democratic Party founded by Yudhoyono.

There were more interruptions to the MPR's first session as Panda Nababan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) criticized the government for its lack of discipline, which he feared would slow down the deliberation of bills in the future.

"The House has had its share of flaws in the past, but the government's lack of discipline when it comes to attending the House hearings has also cost us some bills, such as the military court bill," he said.

Gandung, who appeared unsatisfied with Marzuki's response, made a second attempt to interrupt the plenary session, but was ignored by Marzuki who asked the forum to proceed. Gandung then shouted at Marzuki, asking the House speaker show him a little respect.