Ezra Sihite – An angry House of Representatives speaker Marzuki Alie on Tuesday hit out at journalists covering the growing gulf between politicians and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Marzuki scoffed at suggestions that the House – which is notoriously corrupt – no longer supported efforts to rid Indonesia of graft. "Don't look at this as though the House speaker is pro-corruption," Marzuki told journalists at the DPR on Tuesday. "Watch your mouths."

Marzuki, who has previously been accused of failing to think before he talks, then appeared to undermine his own argument, questioning the need for the KPK. "As I said previously, if there are no more credible people to lead the powerful KPK, why do we need [it]," he said.

He said any criticism of the KPK should be seen as efforts to strengthen efforts to eradicate corruption. "The criticism should be responded to with a better performance, so don't talk too much."