Megawati's 'separation package'

Megawati's 'separation package'

As her tenure comes to an end, incumbent President Megawati
Soekarnoputri recently issued a presidential decree on the
"separation package" to be received by the outgoing president and
vice president.

In the decree, she will get a Rp 20 billion house, a car which
comes with a chauffeur, security service, free electricity and
telephone expenses, a pension, a health allowance and a private
secretary.

Cabinet deputy secretary, Erman Radjagukguk, said the decree
was based on Law No 7/1978. Unfortunately, we have never heard
of such law. It could be because former president, Soeharto, was
forced out of office, as were his successors before Megawati.
This has made them unable to think about such a separation package.

There is actually nothing wrong with it, as we have been
taught to respect our leaders. However, in a nation plagued by
corruption, there should be no empathy for such a separation
package.

We should instead focus on eradicating poverty, reducing
unemployment and building damaged elementary school buildings.

As such, it would be enough for former presidents to be given
security service, a health facility and a pension. Housing?
What for? For whom?

Being leaders who understand the people is not easy. We see
how poor our leaders' sensitivity is. Being insensitive to the
people's plight has become common. Pretty soon, we will hear
about leaders in the provinces demanding for a separation
package. -- Republika, Jakarta