Jakarta – The development of a recreational center within a new parliamentary building, the construction of which is due to begin in October, was never decided on by any House of Representatives' leaders says a House deputy speaker.
House Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung said Wednesday that, as a consequence of this, the planned construction of the recreational center, which would include swimming pool, spa and fitness facilities, would be subject to further evaluation.
On Tuesday the House Internal Affairs Committee revealed the grand design of the planned parliamentary building, which will cover about 161,000 square meters and stand at 37 stories.
The new building, which will cost the state around Rp 1.2 trillion (US$133.2 million), is also expected to be equipped with a drug store and a mini-mart.
Inside the new building, each House member will enjoy ample office space of 120 square meters comprising leisure rooms, bathrooms, guest rooms and meeting rooms.
The prodigal plan has garnered strong negative reactions from activists and a number of legislators, who consider the plan "excessive", saying it "crosses the line."
Pramono, who is from the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI-P), is one such legislator objecting to the grandiose plan.
"I never knew that the design would include the construction of such facilities. I was stunned," he said. The plan, he said, drew stark contrast between the House and the reality the country and its people were confronting.
People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Taufik Kiemas echoed those sentiments, saying it was unnecessary for legislators to have a fitness center in the new building.
"For example, the construction of a swimming pool on the top floor will stir fresh controversy over who would be allowed to swim in the pool – male or female legislators," Taufik added.
He said he was content with his current workspace. "I think it is unnecessary to go the extra mile," Taufik said.
House speaker Marzuki Alie reportedly promised he would remove the spa from the plan, saying that House buildings were "houses of aspirations, not places for legislators to receive a massage".
Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, Lukman Hakim, said the new building would be a reflection of a parliamentary edifice.
Meanwhile, public protests over the development of the new House building continues, with more activists voicing their concerns not only over those recreation facilities, but also over the project's exorbitant budget.
The Indonesian Human Rights and Legal Aid Association said in a press release that House members were "insensitive" toward the people. Saying the plan reflected the fact that legislators lacked a basic understanding on how to prioritize the people's agenda, it says.
Furthermore, dozens of activists from the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) staged a protest on Wednesday in front of the House building on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Central Jakarta.
A couple of satirists were seen soaking up the sun in an inflatable swimming pool, while others wore bathrobes while being massaged and scrubbed. (tsy)