THE reform era allows everyone to protest about anything, including their wages. It's not just manual workers who complain about their pay these days. Minister of Justice & Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has also expressed his dissatisfaction with the monthly Rp19 million he gets.

Admittedly, a minister's salary is less than that of a CEO in a state-owned company. But the difference should not just be seen from the amount of rupiah received.