DPR Has Cut R 260 Billion Per Year, Academics: Transformation And Savings Don't Just Stop At Senayan

JAKARTA - The DPR's decision to cut a number of allowances, including housing allowances of IDR 50 million per month, which resulted in a decrease in take home pay to around IDR 65 million per month, is said to deserve appreciation as a positive step in responding to the crisis of public trust in legislative institutions.

FISIPOL lecturer at Muhammadiyah University, West Sumatra, Hairunnas, is of the opinion that the DPR has listened to public criticism.

"The public certainly welcomed him positively because there was a sign that the people's demands were really heard. In politics, a signal like this cannot be underestimated. This shows awareness that the legitimacy of the people's representatives can only be maintained if they are able to respond to public anxiety," said Hairunnas, Tuesday, September 9.

According to Hairunnas, the steps to save the DPR also need to be imitated by ministries and even strategic SOEs, as a momentum for improving institutions in the future.

"Because if we have to be honest, the issue of salaries and allowances that are too big is not only a matter for the DPR, but also for other state officials at various levels," he said.

In the same context, Hairunnas also highlighted the inequality that still occurs at the regional level. Where the practice of providing home allowances with fantastic numbers still occurs in many DPRDs, such as in Bekasi, Jakarta, and Central Java.

For example, such as the official housing allowance for members of the DKI Jakarta DPRD which reached Rp. 78 million. Corrections to the budget should also occur in the regions.

"House allowances for DPRD members in various provinces and regencies/cities are still at fantastic numbers, in Bekasi Rp46 53 million, in Jakarta Rp70'78 million, in Central Java almost Rp80 million for this level of regional officials. fantastic nominal, "said Hairunnas.

"The public is certainly wondering why the central House of Representatives is responding so quickly to public pressure, while similar practices in the regions are still ongoing without correction, or pretending not to know because there is no pressure?" he continued.

Therefore, Hairunnas assessed that this transformation should not stop only at the DPR RI.

"If this condition is allowed to happen, the public will judge that reforms only stop at Senayan, and do not touch the root of problems in all political structures to the regional level," said Hairunnas.

Hairunnas also compared the condition of the salaries of members of the DPR with executive officials and the reality of the majority of the Indonesian people where this inequality risks creating an perception of injustice if it is not accompanied by real performance.

Therefore, the researcher of the Political Spectrum Institute emphasized the importance of transforming benefits and remuneration that must be carried out as a whole. According to Hairunnas, Bureaucratic Reform can only be an example if the DPR's steps are followed by improvements in ministries, state institutions, DPRD, and BUMN.

"I see that the DPR's decision to cut this allowance is a good first step, it can even be a turning point. But obviously, homework is still long. The reform of allowances for public officials must be carried out comprehensively. It is not enough only in the central House of Representatives," he said.

The same step must reach DPRDs in all regions, ministries, state institutions, to SOEs who have also enjoyed excessive facilities. Without the courage to carry out comprehensive reforms, pruning in Senayan will only be seen by the public as a symbolic step," continued Hairunnas.

As is known, the DPR has agreed to cut a number of its member allowances, including the provision of housing allowances of RP 50 million as a follow-up to public demands.

In addition to eliminating housing allowances, DPR members will also not receive several other allowance components such as electricity subscription fee allowances, telephone services, intensive communication costs, and transportation.