Indonesian MPs Give Themselves Raises After Protests
When thousands take to the streets in August to decry a housing allowance hike, one might expect a brief pause, perhaps a quiet reassessment. Instead, Indonesian MPs, according to the BBC, rolled out another 'allowance' – a 'communication allowance' this time – ranging from 12 million to 22 million rupiah (around £600-£1,100) per month. This isn't just tone-deaf; it's a symphony of contempt for
the public purse. The previous 'housing allowance' saw MPs' salaries jump by up to 50% for some, leading to the massive August protests. It appears the only thing louder than public anger for these officials is the rustle of newly printed bank notes. This isn't an isolated incident of politicians ignoring public sentiment. It's a global pattern. The irony is, of course, that those meant to
represent the people often seem to hear only the echoes of their own financial incentives. One might ask, if protests are this easily dismissed, what exactly would it take for these representatives to listen? Perhaps a 'listening allowance' is next on the agenda, paid for by the very citizens they so blithely disregard.