Costly MPR session

Costly MPR session

According to a Sept. 24 report in this newspaper, the upcoming
General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will
have a price tag of Rp 49 billion. During a time of austerity for
the government, this seems a little on the high side for a two-
session event for 700 members plus staff, most of whom who are
already on the government payroll.

This is how that amount was explained by the Assembly's
secretary-general, Mr. Afif Ma'roef: Rp.13 billion is for staff
expenses, Rp 4.8 billion for Assembly members' travel and
accommodation and Rp 31.3 billion for "proceedings". No one
expects the Assembly members to sleep in tents at the foot of the
National Monument or to read their notes by candlelight or to
empty their own trash cans or hitchhike between hotels and
Senayan. But has anyone reviewed this budget and questioned the
listed expenses? One way or another, this money will come out of
the pockets of the people. The costs of even a worthy cause like
democracy should be monitored.

On the same newspaper page, the new code of ethics for House
members was announced. Does this code contain a provision against
"double-dipping" (being paid for working one's regular government
assignment and also being paid for another assignment during the
same work hours), or against receiving kickbacks for the
performance of official duties such as organizing travel
arrangements? Perhaps as a public service The Jakarta Post and
other newspapers could publish the House's new code of ethics in
full for the public's information.

DONNA K. WOODWARD

Medan, North Sumatra