While controversy brews over new luxury cars being granted to lawmakers, one Central Java Regional Representatives Council member has returned his official car because it is second hand.

Regional lawmaker member Abdullah returned his Toyota Kijang station wagon, which had previously been used by another government office, to the DPRD speaker.

"Many people told me that I was disgracing the Regional Representatives Council because I used a second hand official car, therefore I returned it because I don't want to disgrace my corps," Abdullah told RCTI.

Abdullah claimed he would rather be given a "very ugly car in bad condition," as long as the car had never been previously used by any other government officials.

Abdullah's reason for returning the car was very different to deputy speaker of the Regional Representatives Council La Ode Ida, who returned his official car, a Toyota Crown Royal Saloon, this week because it was too expensive.

La Ode said he preferred to use his own personal vehicle, a Toyota Innova – which he said he was still paying off in installments – rather than use the Toyota Crown, which is valued at Rp 1.3 billion ($139,000).

"When I use the car, I feel uncomfortable. The people's money is being used to buy such a luxury," said La Ode, who represents Southeast Sulawesi.