Legislators cause a stir over new washing machine privileges

JAKARTA (JP): While most people in the country are enraged over the soaring prices of commodities, House of Representatives legislators have their attention fixed on expensive washing machines they claim to be one of their standard perks.

Starting several weeks ago, brand new washing machines worth Rp 6 million (US$540) each have been sent by couriers to the official residences of the legislators in Kalibata area, South Jakarta.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung played down on Thursday the latest controversy involving his 500-member corps. He contended that the fund for the provision of new household equipment had been allocated and approved by the government.

"Well, all legislators should look neat and wear clean shirts. And the fund for it had been earmarked long ago," Akbar told journalists.

With a smile, he maintained that it was normal for a legislator to receive a top of the range washing machine; besides it would not be considered his or her personal property because it belonged to the state.

The legislators, aside from their regular facilities and compensation, will also earn another Rp 35 million as an intensive communication allowance, allowing them to communicate with their constituents.

The extra expenditure has cost the state almost Rp 17.5 billion.

Apart from a Rp 9.7 million basic salary, each legislator receives a car and electricity, tap water and telephone allowances, plus an extra allowance for plenary sessions, other meetings and official visits they take part in. During recess, they are also given an allowance they can disburse when they visit their constituents.

Each legislator stays at a fully furnished official residence, along with new air conditioners and furniture. Annual renovations worth Rp 20 million are part of the perks the legislators enjoy.

It's commonly known that many, if not all, legislators, at the end of their term literally left their residences vacant.

The House secretary-general Sri Soemarjati declined to comment on the extra expenditure, saying as far as she knew the facilities remained a proposal, which had yet to be approved.

Another legislator from the Golkar Party, Slamet Effendy Yusuf, commented in jest: "What we actually need is a brainwashing machine, so legislators would be more diligent in attending sessions."

He said that he had not received the new washing machine or the extra allowances for communication.

Pramono Anung, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), said that such facilities showed a lack of sense of crisis among state officials. (dja)