Markus Junianto Sihaloho – House Speaker Marzuki Alie bristled at Indonesian lawmakers' chronic absenteeism before Thursday's half-packed House.

Only 293 of the 560 members of the House of Representatives showed up to Thursday's plenary meeting, prompting Marzuki to read off a list of those absent before the partially filled room.

"The total is 293, from 560," he said. "Therefore this plenary has met its quorum."

The ruling Democratic Party had 75 of its 148 members show up. Fifty-seven of the 160 Golkar Party members came to the meeting. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) sent 56 of its 94 members while the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) sent 30 out of 57.

Twenty-five members of The National Mandate Party attended the meeting. Twenty-one were absent.

The United Development Party had 18 lawmakers present. An additional 20 were missing. The National Awakening Party sent eight lawmakers while 10 failed to show. The Great Indonesia Movement Party had 17 of its 26 members in the House. The People's Conscience Party had seven in attendance with 10 absent.

Lawmakers argued that their fellow party members were on hajj and couldn't come to the meeting. Other said that Thursday was the last day of work before the recess period and they shouldn't have to attend the meeting.

Indonesian lawmakers have come under fire in recent months over their abysmal attendance records and inattentiveness during House meetings.