Military personnel struggle to make both ends meet

Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Having a side job is nothing new for members of the military. Just like other professionals, military personnel moonlight to contribute to their basic incomes in an attempt to cope with the soaring price of basic needs, particularly since the financial crisis of 1997.

Martono, (not his real name), is not an exception. The 27-year-old man has a wife and a three-year-old daughter. The family lives in a rented house rumah petak in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta.

As a low-ranking marine personnel, Martono said his salary of around Rp 700,000 (US$90) per month is not enough to meet his family's monthly expenses.

He says he pays Rp 225,000 monthly for house rental, Rp 75,000 for electricity and water, Rp 50,000 for his daughter's milk, Rp 600,000 for food, and Rp 100,000 for transportation.

"My salary was lower three years ago, but it was still enough for my wife and I. My wife could save at least Rp 50,000 or Rp 75,000 a month," he told The Jakarta Post proudly.

Martono was forced to take a side job after the birth of his daughter three years ago, and the arrival of his two nieces and brother-in-law from Aceh two years ago.

"My nieces want to try to get a good education here and my brother-in-law wants to try his luck in Jakarta," Martono said, adding that his brother in law can earn an income as a tailor.

As a marine officer it was not difficult for Martono to get a side job. He was quickly hired as the security officer of a financial company in Mampang area, South Jakarta.

"Most of my friends also have side jobs as security guards, either for companies or individuals. It is not prohibited as long as we do our formal job well," Martono said.

He goes to the office in the morning and guards the company in the afternoon. He does not wear his officer's uniform while working for the company.

"Our salary is only enough to meet our basic needs. We must have side jobs if we want to send our children to schools and have a better life. Everything is expensive now," he said.

Martono gets Rp 600,000 per month from the company. His bosses gives him a bonus once a while, when he manages to prevent theft from the office, for example. He also gets a bonus for Idul Fitri.

Low salary has been cited as the main reason for military officers taking side jobs as security guards or bodyguards. It is also said to be the main reason for the military and police's involvement in illegal businesses.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri acknowledged last year the state's inability to meet the armed forces' wage requirements due to the prolonged economic crisis.

The government disbursed Rp 13.9 trillion for this year's military budget.

Last week, a member of the Army Special Command's (Kopassus), was shot to death while guarding PT Asaba president director Boedyharto Angsana, who was also murdered.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said that soldiers were not allowed to moonlight by becoming bodyguards or protecting private parties.