DPR Leaders Are Considered To Show Openness By Detailing The Salaries Of Council Members To The Public

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Adies Kadir/PHOTO via Instagram @adies.kadir

Political communication observer from The London School of Public Relations (LSPR Communication & Business Institute), Ari Junaedi assessed that the explanation of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Adies Kadir, regarding the increase in the salary of members of the DPR, which was conveyed in detail to the public, showed openness.

Ari hopes that the DPR will always be responsive and responsive to every public turmoil, even though Government Regulation Number 75 of 2000 concerning the Basic Salaries of Leaders of the Highest/Highest State Institutions and Members of State High Institutions as well as Honorary Money for Members of the Highest State Institutions which regulates the amount of salaries and allowances received by Council members, it is actually easy for the public to know because they are not confidential.

"With openness and transparency regarding the income submitted by the leadership of the DPR, it makes it easier for the public to control the performance of Council members. And the public should be a 'watch dog' for the performance of Council members," said Ari Junaedi, Thursday, August 21.

Ari saw that the polemic of the income of Council members could not be separated from the public's demands for an increase in the performance of DPR members. Of course, according to him, the public hopes that DPR members can make their contribution to the maximum in fighting for the aspirations of the people they represent.

"What is easily seen is that the attendance factor in every meeting is certainly easy for the public to know. Not to mention the quality of the national legislation made by the parliament as an indicator that the assessment of Council members has worked optimally," said Ari.

Ari also considered that the controversial issue of salary, allowances and reimbursement of housing costs from members of the Council was also inseparable from public ignorance of the actual performance of Council members.

"If the public understands the work of Council members who are truly capable and committed to the interests of the people, they will certainly realize that income factors are not a problem," said the Director of the Institute for the Nusakom Pratama Institute.

Ari said that the polemic about salary, income and reimbursement for housing costs went viral because the public felt embarrassed by the behavior and performance of some members of the Council who did not understand the functions carried out by members of the DPR.

The polemic in the amount and details of salary, various allowances and reimbursement for housing costs for DPR members which were recently understood by the public are also considered to be related to the living conditions of the people who are 'not okay'.

"Public sensitivity to injustice, including the unequal income of Council members with other professions, is becoming easy to ignite at this time. In fact, this incident is a momentum for the DPR to prove its performance can satisfy the public," explained Ari.

"The public certainly hopes that the DPR will not only become a 'stamp tool' for the authorities but will continue to oversee, correct and can even pressure the Government to improve governance that deviates from all of President Prabowo's flagship programs," he continued.

Previously, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Adies Kadir, explained the components of the income of board members, including the reasons for the policy to replace official houses as housing allowances.

This was conveyed by Adies to answer the public's attention to the issue of salaries and allowances for DPR members which increased to Rp. 3 million per day, or a total of Rp. 100 million per month. In fact, DPR members only receive a house allowance of Rp. 50 million per month because they no longer receive official housing.

"This step is taken as a form of accountability while ensuring that the public gets complete and uncut information," said Adies, Wednesday, August 20.

Adies then explained that every member of the DPR received the basic salary that had been stated in the Government of the Republic of Indonesia Regulation Number 75 of 2000 concerning the Basic Salaries of Leaders of the Highest/Highest State Institutions and Members of State High Institutions as well as Honorary Money for Members of the Highest State Institutions.

Apart from that, said Adies, there are several allowances such as family allowances, rice, and job allowances according to the rules for state officials, in accordance with the Minister of Finance Letter Number S-520/MK.02/2015.

"Along with the task that demands the intensity of political communication and the work of representatives, members of the DPR also receive intensive communication allowances and allowances to support assistant experts who help prepare the script and study," said the head of the DPR for Economics and Finance.

Adies also said that additional housing allowances were not a new increase, but instead the transfer of housing facilities for DPR members who had been in Kalibata and Ulujami.