Legislators with coolie mentality<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
I agree with University of Indonesia political observer M.
\nBudyatna's statement \"Legislators have a coolie mentality\" on the
\ncase of the award\/separation pay conferred to the legislators of
\nthe 1997\/2002 period by B.J. Habibie based on their achievement
\nat the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
The honorable members of the House of Representatives have
\nbeen accused of having a coolie mentality because:<\/p>\n
First, money awards are usually given by a company to
\nemployees based on the evaluation of their performance. House
\nmembers are not employees. They are neither subordinates of the
\npresidential institution. The legislator's is a noble job based
\non the people's trust.<\/p>\n
Second, to become a member of the House is the result of the
\npeople's choice through the general election. Thus, legislators
\nshould first ask for the people's agreement whether to accept or
\nto reject the pay of Rp 150 million per person. If the people
\nagree to it, the legislators will feel proud. It means that the
\npeople evaluate their representatives' performance as
\nsatisfactory. On the other hand, if the people do not agree to
\nit, the legislators should show equanimity. It means their
\nperformance is poor.<\/p>\n
Third, those evaluating whether the legislators have achieved
\nsomething or not during their task is not the presidential
\ninstitution or the president but Indonesia's people. Of course
\nthe president can give an assessment of the legislators'
\nperformances, but it would be a subjective evaluation. An
\nevaluation of achievement may be given because the laws passed by
\nthe legislators so far have been in accordance with the wishes
\nof and the partiality with the government or the authorities. It
\nis not the laws that are in accordance with the conscience or the
\ninterest of the people.<\/p>\n
May the honorable legislators ask their conscience before they
\naccept or reject the money gained by the people's sweat. They
\nshould not forget the chaotic economic situation and hurt the
\npeople's feelings again.<\/p>\n
RUKMA BANGUN<\/p>\n
Bekasi, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-with-coolie-mentality-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }