E. Java councillors to get pay raise

SURABAYA: Councillors in East Java are set to get a hefty 60 percent salary raise.

The raise will come into effect on April 1. Councillors currently take home an average of about Rp 4.7 million.

The decision was made during the closing session of the budget commission.

Initially there were proposals to double the salaries, but it got such a negative reaction from the public that it was decided to reduce the increase.

East Java Governor Imam Utomo expressed surprise that legislators demanded such a hefty increase.

"Come on. I only earn Rp 1.5 million per month. After tax and others levies I'm left taking home Rp 1.3 million. Let's be realistic," he remarked on Tuesday.

The latest decision is likely to raise more voices of discontent. Non-government organizations had complained that councillors were selfish to think only about their personal financial prosperity while there are some two million people unemployed in the province. (nur/edt)