"PAN remains consistent in rejecting the DPR`s new building construction plan, although the budget has been lowered several times. Our stance on the plan has not changed," member of PAN faction at the DPR, Chandra Wijaya, said at the legislative building here on Wednesday.
He said the attitude of the PAN`s faction at the DPR was supported by the party`s general chairman Hatta Rajasa.
"We are supported by PAN`s general chairman," Chandra said, adding that the budget has been revised several times from originally Rp1,8 trillion to Rp1,3 trillion, Rp1,1 trillion for a 36 story-building, and then to Rp777 billion to construct the new building with 27 stories.
But it continued to arouse public reactions.
"If the people remain rejecting the construction of the building, PAN will also do the same," Chandra said.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP) central executive board chairman Maruar Sirait also share Chandra`s opinion.
Sirait said PDIP also rejected the DPR`s plan to build a new tower for its own use.
He said that although the construction budget had been revised downward from Rp1.3 trillion to Rp777 billion, PDI remained opposed to the project.
"It is not a matter of figures but of aspiration. So long as there are public aspirations to reject the plan, we will do the same," Sirait said.
He said that although the figure on the construction budget has been lowered, it would not influence the party`s political stance.
"We are using the parameter of public aspiration in our political stance to reject the DPR`s new building," said Airait who is also a member of the House`s Commission XI.
He said the figure of the construction budget had been reduced several times and it proved that the construction plan was based more on a desire instead of on need. (*)
O001/HAJM
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
