'Why such a huge budget for useless Session?'<\/p>\n
The ongoing Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) is costing taxpayers about Rp 20 billion (US$2.35 million),
\nwith which 700 legislators are enjoying the luxury of a Rp
\n800,000 room at a five-star hotel -- even those who reside in the
\ncapital. The fact has cast doubt on the significance of the
\nSession. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their views on
\nthe event.<\/p>\n
Alfi (not her real name), 29, works for a private company in
\nWest Jakarta. She lives in Tangerang with her family:<\/p>\n
The Annual Session is merely a waste of money since it's
\nmeaningless. It doesn't give produce significant results for the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
I strongly agree that the session should finish sooner than
\nplanned, considering the high daily expenses for participating
\nlegislators.<\/p>\n
There's nothing crucial to discuss during the Session, so why
\nshould they have one in the first place if it's ineffective?<\/p>\n
The money would be more useful in paying off the country's
\ndebt, which would eventually help ease the nation's burden.<\/p>\n
Corruption during the repayment of the debt to the
\nInternational Monetary Fund would be minimal, since it deals with
\nthe entire nation, as well as the international sphere.<\/p>\n
I don't think the budget will be distributed properly if it is
\nallocated for education or for poverty eradication.<\/p>\n
Besides, the Annual Session only worsens the already congested
\ntraffic because of the security checks in many areas to safeguard
\nthe legislators, although they talk about and do nothing.<\/p>\n
Sukiman, 30, is a cellular phone vendor in Blok M, South
\nJakarta. He lives in South Jakarta with his wife:<\/p>\n
The Annual Session has no purpose at all. I haven't heard
\nanything about the crucial issues to be discussed at the session.<\/p>\n
I completely agree the Session should end sooner to save the
\npeople's money. They are wasting the state budget for nothing.
\nThe money they're using is from taxpayers like us.<\/p>\n
There's nothing we can expect from the legislators, since they
\ndon't represent the citizens of the country. They are only
\ntalking rubbish during the Session.<\/p>\n
It would be better if the budget allocated for the Session was
\nused to improve public facilities, including waterways and
\nthoroughfares in the city -- people want to have better public
\nfacilities. It's a more realistic purpose than using the state
\nbudget for such a Session.<\/p>\n
All their talk at the session won't amount to much for the
\ncountry. It's a mere formality, just like the previous years. I'm
\nsure of it.<\/p>\n
To be honest, I don't care about it. It's more important to
\nthink about my business and how to survive.<\/p>\n
Edi, 32, is a sidewalk vendor selling fried catfish in Radio
\nDalam, South Jakarta. He lives in Petogogan, South Jakarta, with
\nhis wife and daughter:<\/p>\n
Wow! Is the (Annual Session) budget that big? It's beyond my
\nimagination -- Rp 20 billion is a lot.<\/p>\n
I can't even imagine staying at a luxurious hotel that would
\ncost me Rp 800,000 a night. What big spenders!<\/p>\n
Why is such a huge budget being spent on a useless Session? It
\nwon't bring any results in peoples' lives.<\/p>\n
Honestly, I haven't heard of any vital issues that could make
\nall the legislators flock to the Session.<\/p>\n
It's nonsense if the legislators claim to represent the
\npeople. None of them take the side of the poor.<\/p>\n
It's better to end the Session sooner.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the money could be distributed to the needy in
\nconflict-torn areas like Aceh. I'm sure many people there are in
\nneed of humanitarian aid. Or, if it's possible, the budget can be
\nused to create jobs for the unemployed.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-such-a-huge-budget-for-useless-session-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }