Budget committee leaders to be quizzed on room renovation

The House of Representatives’ Honorary Council says it will ask House budget committee leaders for explanations about the controversial Rp 20.3 billion (US$2.23 million) renovation of the committee’s room.

Council chief M. Prakosa said Thursday the council would be looking forward to hearing the budget committee’s version of the initial proposal for the renovation, as well as its budget disposition, agreement and execution.

He said he would also report and clarify to the committee all the information the council had received from people in connection with the renovation project, including information from House secretary general Nining Indra Saleh and members of the House’s Household Affairs committee.

“We will clarify everything,” he said Thursday after inspecting the room.

In response to the council’s plan, budget committee chief Melchias Markus Mekeng said he and his colleagues were ready to have a discussion.

“We will tell them as it is,” he said.

House general secretary Nining Indra Saleh revealed last week that the House had budgeted Rp 20.3 billion for the renovation of the budget committee room by expanding the capacity of the room and refurbishing all furniture and lighting inside the room. (rpt/awd/mtq)