CSOs threaten to file lawsuit against House over new building plan

A number of civil society organizations have threatened to file a lawsuit against the House of Representatives regarding the latter's controversial plan to construct a new building estimated to cost the state more than Rp 1 trillion (US$118 million).

The organizations, under the flag of The Advocation team for the CSO and the People's Coalition, are also threatening to sue President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the finance minister.

They demand that the plan to construct the building be cancelled and for legislators and officials to apologize to the people for failing to fulfill their legal obligations. The House of Representatives is given seven days to fulfill its demands or face a lawsuit.

Yuna Farhan, secretary-general of Fitra, a member of the coalition, said that the legislators had failed to acknowledge that the people considered the new building as non-essential from the beginning.

"The House of Representatives does not hear what the public says," Yunas said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

The team is also planning to file a criminal lawsuit against House Speaker Marzuki Alie for making public comments deemed to have discredited the people.

Marzuki last week said that the discussion on the new buildings were only to include the elite and intellectuals because most citizens had other priorities.

Uchok Sky Khadafi from Fitra said that the statement was an embarrassment. "The construction of the building and the money do not come from the elite only. The tax is also paid by the people," he said.

The team is also to report Marzuki to the House's Honorary Council.