Proposal to raise lawmakers' wages opposed by PKS
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) is the first faction in the House of Representatives to openly oppose the controversial proposal for a hike in the salary and allowances of legislators.
A legislator of the faction said on Tuesday that the timing was not right for a hike in the salary of lawmakers amid the various difficulties suffered by the people such as natural disasters, malnutrition, endemic diseases and the high unemployment rate.
"The PKS faction opposes it. The timing is not right. We've seen unemployment problems in various regions," said PKS legislator Soeripto on the sidelines of a House hearing.
The House Secretariat had recently proposed a hike in the salaries and allowances of legislators, with some saying that the move was necessary to boost their performance. The higher allowance, for instance, is seen as important to help finance lawmakers' trips to various regions to meet their constituents, and also to hire experts as consultants to assist them in their legislative duties.
But the proposal has received widespread criticism from the public particularly amid the poor record of the 550 House members with regards their primary function of enacting legislation.
Out of the 55 bills scheduled to be completed this year, only one bill has been passed, and lawmakers have only begun deliberating a number of bills.
Minister of Finance Jusuf Anwar has also expressed concern over the impact of the proposed salary hike on the state budget, which is now struggling to cover the ballooning fuel subsidy amid surging international oil prices.
Meanwhile, a legislator from the National Awakening Party (PKB) also expressed disagreement over the proposed salary hike, pointing out the heavy burden on the state budget.
Legislator Nursjahbani Katjasungkana acknowledged that lawmakers badly needed a higher salary and allowance, but considering the current weak state of the economy and the various problems in society, the plan should be delayed.
Nursjahbani said that she received Rp 15.5 million (US$1,631) per month, but nearly half of it had to be donated to her party to help finance various programs.