Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Following strong public protests the House of Representatives (DPR) has finally decided to postpone its controversial plan to build a new block in its compound to meet legislators` alleged need for more office space.

House Speaker Marzuki Alie told newsmen here on Monday after presiding over a DPR leadership meeting at the DPR building that a more profound study would be carried out on the project by a technical team that would be set up the DPR leadership.

The study is aimed at assuring the design and cost for the project. "The DPR`s image has been tainted because of it so far. Therefore it was agreed to postpone it while a study will be made to review it," he said.

Besides a review on the cost and design he said the bidding for the time being has also been stopped and would only be opened again later after the study is finished.
Marzuki said the new design later must not impress luxury to avoid public criticism, adding if the design is luxurious the public will reject it, he said.

He deplored that the project that had already entered the stage of bidding had been smeared by issues which are actually not about plans and design referring as an example to false information about fitness and relaxation facilities in the building.

The DPR leadership held a meeting to discuss the continuation of the project that has caused controversy in the public.

The meeting was also attended by the consultants that have been involved in designing the building. Marzuki Alie said the consultants had been asked if there would indeed be special facilities like a spa facility and others in the building.

"If the facilities are not found in the design who are then that have spread the rumors," he said.

Regarding the swimming pool, Marzuki admitted that it would indeed be made available. The technical idea of it was initially aimed at providing water for use in case of a fire as pumping water up to the building`s highest 36th floor would be impossible to do and therefore the pool would be located on the floor midway to the highest floor.

The plan to build the 36th floor building at a cost of Rp1.8 trillion was first made known to the public at the 65th anniversary of the country`s independence on August 17.

Marzuki said the DPR leadership had emphasized the importance of cutting the cost below the initial target.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/A014/P003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
COPYRIGHT © 2012

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