Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Indonesia's controversial speaker of the House of Representatives, Marzuki Alie, has blamed the media for giving the House a bad name.

Marzuki, speaking during a plenary session in the House, also known as the DPR, on Monday, said the only way the politicians could ensure positive coverage was if they paid for advertisements in the form of advertorials.

"The House activity can only be seen positive if there are blocks of House advertising in the mass media," the politician from the ruling Democratic Party said.

Marzuki, who has a habit of making comments that are criticized as not being well thought out, has been at the center of a number of controversies, including his defense of a plan to build a costly new building for politicians.

Maruarar Sirait, from the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), jumped on the comments, labeling them inappropriate.

Maruarar said the media were the voice of the public. He said the concerns against the construction of the new parliamentary building were genuine and had nothing to do with "blocks of advertising," adding that Marzuki should clarify his comments and apologize.