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Lawmakers on Thursday demanded an audit to the new Rp 20 billion ($2.2 million) upgrade to a meeting room for the House of Representatives Budget Committee, and one party discouraged its members from using the new room altogether.

House Speaker Marzuki Alie put the blame for the expensive project on the House secretariat general, saying that it has not been transparent in disclosing spending on the project.

“There should not be any secrecy surrounding projects inside the House. The secretariat general must disclose all of its financial records,” he said.

Marzuki, from the Democratic Party, said that House leaders have contacted the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), urging them to investigate.

“People have the right to know why expensive imported stuff was bought when there were cheaper high-quality products available domestically. I have asked the KPK to check. If there is an indication of corruption, action must be taken,” he said.

Democratic faction chairman Jafar Hafsah said the price tag was too high for the renovation of the 10-meter-by-10-meter space.

“You can imagine [the cost] if all rooms in this office were renovated with the same amount. I think it needs to be audited,” he said.

Anis Matta, a House deputy speaker from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said that state-owned construction company Pembangunan Perumahan, one of the contractors working on the project, should disclose records linked to the renovation.

Anis distanced House leaders from the project, saying that “once the project enters the Household Affairs Committee [BURT], House leaders are no longer involved.”

Taufik Kurniawan, House deputy speaker from the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that members of the party “must not use the new room” until its budget is audited.

The high cost “is like putting a kilogram of gold in every square meter of the room.”

“This needs further investigation,” the public welfare deputy said.

The new meeting room was equipped with three large flat-screen televisions and a door with an electronic lock.

Ronald Rofiandri of the Indonesian Law and Policy Studies (PSHK) said it was impossible that House leaders were kept in the dark about the project.

“They have the right to access information all the way to the technical level,” he said.

The project is the latest controversy to hit the House, which has been criticized for unnecessary overseas trips and large housing allowances.

The House has also announced a Rp 2 billion plan to renovate its toilets because they are claimed to be in a poor state.