No red carpet for Assembly members this time round
No red carpet for Assembly members this time round
By Ahmad Junaidi
JAKARTA (JP): Time was when the 1,000 members of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) were pampered during their stay here
for the General Session, held every five years.
Two-week accommodation at five-star hotels included carte
blanche for minibar, private telephone calls and laundry.
These were, after all, the people's representatives invested
with the stressful task to prepare and usher in the nation's
State Guidelines.
That argument is not being heard much this year as members
will be required to foot the bill for nearly all personal
expenses themselves.
It is not all hardship. In addition to free hotel
accommodation and meals, they are entitled to one item of free
laundry daily.
But far fewer members are expected to bring their families to
enjoy the amenities and go sightseeing in the capital than in the
past.
Of course, for dozens of members it is a case of all in the
family having a good time at little personal cost.
Each member gets his or her own hotel room, irrespective
whether a spouse or child is also an Assembly member.
The MPR budget is Rp 44.7 billion (US$4.47 million at the rate
of Rp 10,000 to the dollar), compared to Rp 11 billion for the
Assembly in 1993.
This covers accommodation for members, 100 rooms for security,
medical and committee staff, plus additional rooms for ad hoc
committee members who have worked on the Guidelines since
November.
"Expenses will increase a little because of higher costs of
photocopying, paper and other items," said Sudin Silalahi, the
head of the MPR's finance section.
Hotels have requested that the MPR factor in additional costs
because of the rupiah's depreciation, but this has been in vain.
Silalahi said contracts for members' accommodation was signed
in October after they were installed.
"The contracts were signed under a conversion rate of Rp 3,500
to the dollar," Silalahi said.
"There is nothing we can do" about the hotel complaints, he
added.
A reservations clerk at Sahid Jaya Hotel said its rates for
business class rooms were $170, exclusive of relevant taxes, for
foreign nationals, and Rp 365,000 net for Indonesians.
Rates had remained basically the same, she said, but several
hotels had applied two sets since October because of the dollar's
climb.
Hotel Sari Pacific now charges $125, exclusive of taxes, for
foreigners and Rp 350,000 for Indonesians for its standard room.
Legislators are expected here on Feb. 27 for registration at
their hotels, and will likely be here until March 13.
Members from the ruling Golkar faction will stay at Hotel
Indonesia and Hotel President, and United Development Party and
provincial representatives are booked at Hotel Sahid Jaya.
Members of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) faction, the Indonesian
Democratic Party and those representing other groups will stay at
Hotel Sari Pan Pacific.
The budget allocates Rp 60,000 daily for
the 11 days for each member, exclusive of their salary.
ABRI and civil servant members receive Rp 300,000, and the
rest receive double that amount.
Many members are self-employed professionals, including
businesspeople and religious leaders.
The budget also covers transportation, and shuttle buses are
provided by the state-run PPD company. Fortunately, gas prices
will increase in April, long after members have gone home.