Pensioners to get back pay

JAKARTA: At least 2.2 million retirees from the civil service, the Indonesia Military (TNI) and the National Police will receive back pay on their pensions soon, after President Megawati Soekarnoputri gives her approval.

Maurin Sitorus, spokesman for the Ministry of Finance, said in a statement on Monday that the back pay was calculated from the difference between the former basic salary and the new one.

The government has sufficient funds at its disposal through state-owned PT Taspen and Asabri.

"This explanation is to reassure pensioners, who have yet to receive back pay. The government paid the difference to working civil servants, military and police officers two months ago," Maurin said.

The government increased the basic salary for civil servants, military and police officers as well as pensioners early this year. -- JP