Session leaves guards aggrieved

Session leaves guards aggrieved

JAKARTA: The Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has stirred up envy, as it assures the 700 legislators of money and high-class facilities.

An MPR security guard, Undang Fuad, 50, expressed concern over the facilities for legislators, despite their poor performance.

"I'm just an ordinary person who knows nothing about politics. It is they (the legislators) who play at politics," Undang said on Wednesday.

He said all security guards were obliged to attend a morning briefing at 7 a.m. before carrying out their duties until 8 p.m.

Undang refused to disclose his salary, but admitted that all security guards would receive a bonus for their extra work during the 10-day session. However, the salaries were too small to compare with those of the legislators.

Each legislator will receive Rp 100,000 in pocket money per day, accommodation at the five-star Hotel Mulia Senayan, and free meals. -- JP