Anita Rachman – The Speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday questioned the claim that nongovernmental organizations represented the people, emphasizing that the lawmakers were the legitimate representatives.

"[NGOs] please don't speak on behalf of the people, House members are the official representatives," said Marzuki Alie, the House speaker from the Democratic Party.

On Sunday, a group of NGOs said they would file a lawsuit against the House Speaker Marzuki for pushing a plan to build an Rp 1.13 trillion new office tower, saying that the plan went against the people's will.

Marzuki said that an objection raised by an NGO does not necessarily represent the opinion of the majority of Indonesians. He added that lawmakers were directly elected, and hence the official representatives of the people.

"Whose representatives are the NGOs? How come the legal one [the House] is being trumped by NGOs?" Marzuki questioned.

Marzuki, however, welcomed any lawsuits filed against him, stating that it was a state official's pleasure to be reported or challenged in the court.

"It's fine. This is a country that's based on law. In this era of democracy, it is official's consequences," he said. "[It's] very enjoyable to be reported here and there."