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.