Money for nothing<\/p>\n
Times are tough on everyone. The rupiah is sinking, the price of
\ngoods are rising and purchasing power seems to be stagnating.<\/p>\n
That is the predicament felt by many Indonesians. Still, those
\nwho can still afford to cut back on some luxuries by scaling down
\ntheir purchases should count themselves lucky. Millions of
\nIndonesians can only dream about securing the bare necessities --
\nfood, health and education.<\/p>\n
Despite our audacity to believe ourselves a nation that has
\ngone beyond the level of subsistence, thousands of infants are
\nstill malnourished and infected with diseases usually associated
\nwith backward nations.<\/p>\n
The recent high school examinations have been completed and
\nbring the first taste of \"real life\" as thousands have to
\ncontemplate the prospect of not being able to pursue their
\neducation further due to lack of funds.<\/p>\n
Economic ministers earlier this week also conceded that they
\nwould only be capable of providing jobs for approximately 40
\npercent of the three million new job-seekers each year.<\/p>\n
Given these difficult times, it is only natural that some
\nwould seek remuneration commensurate with their responsibilities.<\/p>\n
Take our national legislators at the House of Representatives,
\nfor example. News has leaked through that they are contemplating
\nan 85 percent to 33 percent (from House speaker to members)
\nsalary raise.<\/p>\n
The specifics are, not surprisingly, still being debated
\nbehind closed doors. Most of those involved are unwilling to
\nreveal the extent of the proposed raise. Only terse statements
\nhave come out, as legislators are fully cognizant that the issue
\nwill incite public criticism.<\/p>\n
The bulk of the increase would be taken up by funding for
\nspecial operations, which could entail everything from advisors
\nand staff to the personal needs of the individual legislators.<\/p>\n
Under the current scheme, legislators receive an average of
\nabout Rp 28 million (US$2,890) per month. This includes their
\nbasic salary, a family allowance and other perks.<\/p>\n
It is not a lot really, if one compares it to similar
\npositions of important decision-making in other countries, or
\neven the private sector here.<\/p>\n
What is being proposed are increases that would raise the
\naverage monthly take home pay to at least Rp 38 million. Add to
\nthis an additional payout of between Rp 15 million to Rp 30
\nmillion for \"special operations\".<\/p>\n
Legislators also receive annually between Rp 8.7 million to Rp
\n34 million as per diems for the various individual or commission
\ntrips they take.<\/p>\n
It is easy to scoff at these proposals. For the average rural
\nIndonesian, the money being deposited into legislators' accounts
\nis positively astronomical.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, it takes a special kind of person to be a
\nnational legislator. Someone who has the insight, wisdom and
\nmoral integrity to represent over 220 million people. Hence their
\nresponsibility should be acknowledged accordingly.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, it is necessary that a special allocation be made
\nfor highly qualified legislative aides, so our lawmakers will
\nmake properly informed decisions, many of which will ultimately
\nimpact the fate of our nation.<\/p>\n
Thus the issue is not whether legislators should be paid
\ngenerously or if additional resources should be allocated to
\nfacilitate their work.<\/p>\n
What will irk many, is whether the current group of elected
\nrepresentatives deserves to demand such increases given their
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
Nearly a year into their job, they have not passed any
\nsignificant bills, if any. The most conspicuous performance that
\nthe public is likely to recall about the present legislature is
\ntheir tendency to get involved in brawls over procedural matters
\n-- ones which the public often has little stake in.<\/p>\n
In any other job, it would be preposterous for a new employee
\nto demand immense remuneration hikes so early in their career.
\nSomething which these legislators simply do not recognize.<\/p>\n
Increases should be presented when those involved have proven
\nworthy of assuming the responsibilities handed to them.<\/p>\n
To approve significant increases now for the legislature would
\nbe tantamount to awarding mediocrity over merit.<\/p>\n
We strongly urge respected legislators to review their
\ndemands. What the House needs to do now is raise people's faith
\nin the institution, not their own salaries.<\/p>\n
There are more Indonesians suffering now than when the present
\nlegislature took up their posts in 2004. Combined with the
\nHouse's record over the past few months, it would not be an
\nexaggeration to say that \"you simply don't deserve it!\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/money-for-nothing-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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