Academics: The Polemic Of DPR Salaries Needs To Be Viewed Proportionally

JAKARTA - Academician who is also a FISIPOL lecturer at the University of Muhammadiyah, West Sumatra, Hairunnas, highlighted the polemic about the increase in salaries and allowances for DPR members, which is now a public conversation. He considered that the public needed to see this issue proportionally and rationally.

"Members of the DPR carry out very heavy and complex tasks, ranging from making regulations, legislation, to supervisory functions. With such a large workload, it is natural that there is proper compensation to support professionalism and integrity in carrying out their duties," said Hairunnas, Thursday, August 21.

Hairunnas then highlighted the fact that the basic salary of DPR members did not increase, as emphasized by the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani.

"According to the chairman of the DPR, what happened was only an adjustment to certain allowances, not an increase in basic salaries as reported in the media," said Hairunnas.

Previously, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, denied that the salary increase for council members was Rp. 3 million per day or Rp. 90 per month. He said the salaries of council members remained the same. However, what is different is that DPR members receive compensation for office houses because currently members do not have a office.

According to Hairunnas, Puan's statement showed that the performance adjustment mechanism was still running according to applicable regulations.

He considered that public criticism actually showed that the process of supervising political decisions took place in a transparent and accountable manner.

"For me, the most important thing is not just a debate about the nominal, but how to ensure that the DPR's performance is truly measurable and has a real impact," explained Hairunnas.

"I feel that the public must continue to oversee so that the campaign promises and work programs offered during elections can be realized consistently," continued the researcher at the Political Spectrum Institute.

Hairunnas also believes that the DPR is not anti-critic and proactive towards public aspirations. According to him, there is nothing wrong if the adjustment of DPR allowances is given while having good performance.

"Essentially, regarding this issue I see that the DPR is not anti-criticism. All input from the public is accepted as part of a healthy democratic process," he said.

"As long as the legislative body remains on track and carries out its main duties and functions properly, adjusting allowances is a viable standard to ensure the benefit and progress of the nation," concluded Hairunnas.