Massive anti-government protests have erupted nationwide in Indonesia, leaving the Republic in a state of chaos. Several people died, hundreds were injured, public buildings were burned down, and lawmakers’ homes were looted.
The protests began on 25 August when thousands demonstrated outside the country’s House of Representatives to protest the new housing allowances of IDR50 million or ~RM13,000 for each Member of Parliament (MP). The situation was further exacerbated after a 21-year-old e-hailing rider was run over and killed by an armoured police vehicle.
Since the announcement of the new housing allowances, the salary and allowances enjoyed by MPs in Indonesia have been put under the spotlight, with many believing that the exorbitant amount is unjustified, especially amidst the economic hardship the people of Indonesia are experiencing.
So, what are the salaries and allowances of these lawmakers, and how do they compare to the average Indonesian’s income? Furthermore, how do they compare to the salaries and allowances of MPs in Malaysia and other countries?
Well, read on to find out.
Salary and allowances of Indonesian MPs
For illustration purposes
According to Algo Research, which sourced data from the country’s Finance Ministry and the Secretariat General of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI), each Indonesian MP enjoy the following salary and allowances each month:
Salary and attached allowances
- Basic salary – IDR4,200,000
- Spouse allowance – IDR420,000
- Child allowance – IDR168,000
- Meeting allowance – IDR2,000,000
- Position allowance – IDR9,700,000
- Rice allowance (for 4 people) – IDR120,360
- PPh 21 allowance – IDR2,699,813
Other allowances
- Honourary allowance – IDR5,580,000
- Communication allowance – 15,540,000
- Oversight and Budget Function Enhancement allowance – IDR3,750,000
Other facilities
- Electricity and Telephone Subscription assistance – IDR7,700,000
- Member Assistant – IDR2,250,000
- Car Loan Facility – IDR70,000,000 per person per period
- Housing allowance – IDR50,000,000
Hence, the total amount received by each Indonesian MP every month is IDR104,128,173 (~RM26,7837).
Prabowo Subianto
Do note that following the protests, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has pledged to revoke several perks and privileges of the country’s MPs. As reported by NBC News, these include the controversial housing allowances.
How do they compare to the average Indonesian?
In Indonesia, the minimum wage varies by region and is set by the respective province. According to the Indonesian portal Kompas, the average regional minimum wage in the country is IDR3,700,000 (~RM952).
Therefore, an Indonesian MP makes a whopping 27 times more than the country’s average regional minimum wage every month!
For illustration purposes
Salary and allowances of Indonesian MPs compared to their counterparts in Malaysia and other countries
When compared to several other countries, Kompas found that Indonesia has by far the highest discrepancy between the monthly income of its lawmakers and the nation’s minimum wage. For Malaysia, Kompas reported that MPs in the country earn 10.5 times more than the minimum wage.
However, Indonesian MPs are paid more than their counterparts in Malaysia each month, some IDR36,800,000 or ~RM9400 more to be exact.
Check out the statistics compiled by Kompas below:
So, what do you guys think of the salary and allowances enjoyed by the lawmakers in Indonesia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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This post first appeared on WORLD OF BUZZ.