Government Policies: For Whom?

Policies suggested by officials often surprise the public. Tri Cahyani, 27, a IIIA-class civil servant working in the Salemba area in Jakarta sighed when she heard news of plans to raise top officials' salaries. Her manner was understandable, as the proposed raise of many hundreds of percent was unprecedented. It was put forward, for instance, that a minister's pay would rise from Rp5.6 million to Rp44.75 million a month.

December 26, 2000

As an employee who takes home half a million rupiah each month, the single woman tries to imagine the happiness of being a high official. All her needs would be satisfied. She'd have a big house, a chauffeur-driven car and many other things.

Tri, on the other hand, must ride packed public buses and electric trains from Pasar Minggu to Salemba. That has been her routine for two years now. Reflecting on her life, which forces her to shrewdly make

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