Money for nothing

Times are tough on everyone. The rupiah is sinking, the price of goods are rising and purchasing power seems to be stagnating.

That is the predicament felt by many Indonesians. Still, those who can still afford to cut back on some luxuries by scaling down their purchases should count themselves lucky. Millions of Indonesians can only dream about securing the bare necessities -- food, health and education.

Despite our audacity to believe ourselves a nation that has gone beyond the level of subsistence, thousands of infants are still malnourished and infected with diseases usually associated with backward nations.

The recent high school examinations have been completed and bring the first taste of "real life" as thousands have to contemplate the prospect of not being able to pursue their education further due to lack of funds.

Economic ministers earlier this week also conceded that they would only be capable of providing jobs for approximately 40 percent of the three million new job-seekers each year.

Given these difficult times, it is only natural that some would seek remuneration commensurate with their responsibilities.

Take our national legislators at the House of Representatives, for example. News has leaked through that they are contemplating an 85 percent to 33 percent (from House speaker to members) salary raise.

The specifics are, not surprisingly, still being debated behind closed doors. Most of those involved are unwilling to reveal the extent of the proposed raise. Only terse statements have come out, as legislators are fully cognizant that the issue will incite public criticism.

The bulk of the increase would be taken up by funding for special operations, which could entail everything from advisors and staff to the personal needs of the individual legislators.

Under the current scheme, legislators receive an average of about Rp 28 million (US$2,890) per month. This includes their basic salary, a family allowance and other perks.

It is not a lot really, if one compares it to similar positions of important decision-making in other countries, or even the private sector here.

What is being proposed are increases that would raise the average monthly take home pay to at least Rp 38 million. Add to this an additional payout of between Rp 15 million to Rp 30 million for "special operations".

Legislators also receive annually between Rp 8.7 million to Rp 34 million as per diems for the various individual or commission trips they take.

It is easy to scoff at these proposals. For the average rural Indonesian, the money being deposited into legislators' accounts is positively astronomical.

Nevertheless, it takes a special kind of person to be a national legislator. Someone who has the insight, wisdom and moral integrity to represent over 220 million people. Hence their responsibility should be acknowledged accordingly.

Furthermore, it is necessary that a special allocation be made for highly qualified legislative aides, so our lawmakers will make properly informed decisions, many of which will ultimately impact the fate of our nation.

Thus the issue is not whether legislators should be paid generously or if additional resources should be allocated to facilitate their work.

What will irk many, is whether the current group of elected representatives deserves to demand such increases given their performance.

Nearly a year into their job, they have not passed any significant bills, if any. The most conspicuous performance that the public is likely to recall about the present legislature is their tendency to get involved in brawls over procedural matters -- ones which the public often has little stake in.

In any other job, it would be preposterous for a new employee to demand immense remuneration hikes so early in their career. Something which these legislators simply do not recognize.

Increases should be presented when those involved have proven worthy of assuming the responsibilities handed to them.

To approve significant increases now for the legislature would be tantamount to awarding mediocrity over merit.

We strongly urge respected legislators to review their demands. What the House needs to do now is raise people's faith in the institution, not their own salaries.

There are more Indonesians suffering now than when the present legislature took up their posts in 2004. Combined with the House's record over the past few months, it would not be an exaggeration to say that "you simply don't deserve it!"