Jakarta – The House of Representatives speaker is refusing to submit the names of lawmakers accused of blackmailing government officials for disaster relief funds to the body's disciplinary committee.

Agung Laksono said he had received the names of the lawmakers from the Coordinating Ministry for the People's Welfare.

However, Agung said he had no evidence the members had breached the House's code of ethics. "I will wait for further developments (before submitting the names)," he said.

Ministry secretary Sutejo Yuwono claimed last week that several House members had threatened to block a government budget proposal on disaster relief unless their regions received a share of the money.

The lawmakers had insisted on receiving the funds although their constituents were not affected by disasters, Sutejo said.