Legislators' pay and performance

Legislators' pay and performance

From Kompas

The news of the proposal of the members of the House of Representatives for an 82 percent to 104 percent increase in their take-home pay and its approval is indeed surprising and ironical amid the crises, disasters and diseases plaguing the country.

Legislators have every right to propose a salary rise as long as they have made fairly good achievements. So far the outcome of their performance has mostly been in conflict with public interests.

For instance, when people demanded a thorough investigation of the Trisakti student shooting case, legislators even said there were no rights violations, and when the public was against the national education law, they approved it.

Media reports have also often shown how some of the House members sleep during sessions and their seats are mostly vacant. They also more frequently have rows over procedural matters instead of the substance of the discussion.

In this way, the people's representatives are only thinking of their own interests while they should work to improve the fate of the majority. When will the nation get out of the current crisis?

PUTU SEMIADA Gianyar, Bali