Yusril's complaint over pay sparks fury

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Activists were divided on Thursday over what should be the appropriate salary for state officials, including that for cabinet ministers, with some saying the current salary levels were adequate, with others saying the opposite.

Wardah Hafidz, of the Urban Poor Consortium, described Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra's complaint about his "meager" basic salary of Rp 19 million as outrageous, adding that asking for a salary increase under the current economic circumstances was unwarranted.

"I believe all ministers have adequate basic salaries; besides, allowances double their income. So, for the time being, their basic salary should be sufficient" Wardah told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Wardah, an activist known for struggling for the rights of the urban poor, said that cabinet ministers might have been in a position to ask for a salary increase if the economy had recovered fully from the multidimensional crisis that has plagued the country since 1997.

"Besides, increasing the salary of government officials will not guarantee that they will stop getting involved in corrupt practices," she said.

Wardah said should Yusril want to earn more money, he would have to quit his job as a minister and start his own law firm.

"He is a bureaucrat; his salary therefore depends on the state's financial situation. If he wants more, then he should work in the private sector or open his own law firm," Wardah stressed.

Meanwhile, Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, of Transparency International Indonesia (TII), said that it was appropriate for the minister to be paid a higher salary.

"Compared with other countries Rp 20 million is low, but, of course, an increase in ministerial salaries should be paid at the right time," he told the Post.

Erry, a recipient of the 2003 anticorruption award, said that as a director of PT Timah, he used to receive a basic salary of Rp 40 million per month, but without other privileges such as an official house and car.

When asked how much was the appropriate salary for a cabinet minister, he said it was around Rp 50 million. "But the public should be made aware of the total compensation, including ministerial allowances and other facilities," he said.

In a recent interview, Yusril said that his salary was too small in relation to his duties and obligations as a minister. He said that the state should appreciate his work more than his current salary would indicate.

With the latest increase in 2000, a minister's basic salary is Rp 12.6 million (US$1,482). If other allowances are included, a minister should receive take-home pay of around Rp 20.5 million. A cabinet minister is also entitled to receive an official car and residence.

The president's basic salary is Rp 26.7 million per month; with other allowances, he or she should take home Rp 49.77 million per month. The vice president's basic salary, on the other hand, stands at Rp 22 million, with take-home pay at around Rp 40 million.

The People's Consultative Assembly speaker, House of Representatives speaker, Supreme Court chief and State Audit Agency chief each receive a basic monthly salary of Rp 14.6 million.

All legislators receive Rp 8 million per month in basic salary.

Apart from basic salary and allowances, all government officials receive facilities such as an official house, car and other payments to enable them to conduct official trips.

In comparison, a newly qualified university graduate receives a basic salary of Rp 905,400 per month as a civil servant, according to the latest government regulation issued on Feb.17, 2003.