Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Plans to renovate the House of Representatives and its buildings to the sum of more than US$4 million have come under fire from Indonesia's corruption watch group and various party members.
Opposition to the House's planned Rp 40 billion (US$4.2 million) renovation has flooded in with many saying the plan proves how out of touch the House is from its public.
Alvin Lie, a legislator of the National Mandate Party (PAN), called on House leadership and the House's Secretariat General to cancel the renovations, which he said had never gained any support from any House commission or faction. Alvin also called for a team to investigate who was behind the project.
As deputy chairman of the assessment team to improve the House's performance, Alvin said the plans to renovate were puzzling because no recommendation by his team had been made. He also said no factions or commissions in the parliament had received information on the plans.
"There is no urgency to rehabilitate any building in the parliament – (especially when a) bigger part of Indonesia's people are still living in economic hardship," Alvin said.
Alvin said what was worse was the House had been underperforming. "An investigation must be conducted to find the mastermind behind this project."
Chairperson of the House's Household Affairs Committee (BURT) Indria Octavia Muaja failed to attend a discussion on the issue on Thursday. But she said the renovations would be handled by the House's Secretariat General and covered by the 2007 budget.
"The committee approves of the renovation plan because it has been recommended by the assessment team in charge of improving House performance," she said.
The renovation plan is the second project to spark public outrage. In March this year, the House was forced to cancel a plan by the Secretariat General to purchase laptops worth Rp 11.2 billion for all 550 legislators.
Aria Bima, a legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said, like other state institutions, the House had been told to improve its human resources and performance.
"Instead of renovating buildings and purchasing facilities, legislators are in need of expert staff to help strengthen their legislative and budgetary rights and their control function," Aria said.
"The House must be ashamed that a large part of its people are still living in poverty and unemployed. It has been challenged to control the numerous unpopular government policies and to have more state budget allocation on public spendings," he said.
Alvin and Aria criticized House Speaker Agung Laksono, who they said had gone beyond his capacity as speaker to issue controversial statements and decisions. They said they regretted the House had no legal mechanism to replace leaders making controversial decisions.
Aria said, "let the people impose a punishment against legislators violating their mandate through the general election. In the future, secretary generals (of the House) also should undergo a fit and proper test before their appointment."
Fahmi Badoh from the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) said the House had no clear vision to repair its poor performance.
"The bill on free flow of information has been deliberated for seven years and has yet to be approved," Fahmi said. "Also the House has yet to exercise its budgetary rights to approve pro-people state budgets. And all while most legislators are not concerned over the people's poor condition."