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