KOMPAS.com - It's not easy to be a people's representative. Only a month in Senayan, the temptation is abundant. Pragmatism can crush an irresolute will. While simplicity is not in fashion, luxury is prioritized.

Member of the Gorontalo Regional Representatives Council (DPD), Elnino Mohamad Husein Mohi, senses the fact. Barely a month since his appointment, this activist and ex-journalist claims to have got much temptation.

Not having a car, for the past month he has been coming by cab to Senayan, where the buildings are for DPR/DPD/MPR (People's Representative Council/Regional Representatives Council/People's Consultative Assembly). He had an interesting experience. When the cab reached the guard post, an officer immediately stopped him. "Where are you heading, Sir?" asked the officer. "I'm going to the DPD," said Elnino.

The officer further inquired, "On what business?" and Elnino answered, "For a meeting, Sir." Not knowing that Elnino was a DPD member, the officer told the cab to park. "The guest's parking space is this way, Sir," said the officer.

With a heavy heart, Elnino finally showed his pin. "I'm going to the meeting," he said.

The officer immediately saluted him and allowed his cab to enter. "So, only this little pin is respected in Senayan," said Elnino laughing as he conversed with Kompas in his residence, last week.

That wasn't the only inconvenient experience. While filling out the attendance list for the MPR Plenary, he was thought by an officer as an expert staff as he wasn't wearing a suit. "From which province? What's your name? And where's your superior?" the officer bombarded him with questions.

Elnino, who holds a Political Management master's degree from The University of Indonesia, answered lightly, "I don't I have the looks of a high-official, do I?" he said.

The officer promptly apologized. While taking care of the ticket money for MPR appointment he had an even funnier experience. Because he took care of his own administration, when he was going to sign the receipt, the officer asked him directly, "Do you have a power of attorney letter, Sir?"

According to Elnino, if in the past a leader must have intelligence and virtues, it seems that today it's different. "Nowadays leadership must come in equal measure to wealth," he said bursting in laughter.

The demands of outward appearance is also felt by the DPR member from the National Awakening Party, Abdul Malik Haramain. "In the past a suit wasn't mandatory, now I must wear one whether I want to or not," he said. Previously he was an expert staff in the DPR.

As during the 2009 Election campaign he had to sell his old sedan as capital, he also spent first salary for buying a new car. Of course, he didn't buy an old sedan, but a Honda Stream.

According to Malik, he also had to spend his income wisely because all sorts of proposals came. His responsibilities got bigger.

Just like Malik, Elnino also plans to have installment purchase of a Toyota Innova. But temptations came. A colleague encouraged him to buy a more luxurious car because he was a national figure.

"You're smart. And we're national figures now. Just earn the money. Later we'll find a policy project worth hundreds of billions. But to get that we have to change our appearance. Drive a Fortuner, not an Innova," that was said to Elnino, who currrently still lives in the Gorontalo student dormitory, in Salemba Tengah street, Jakarta.

Self Determination

Facing all the temptations, the 560 DPR members and 132 DPD members have many options, whether to go along with the luxurious trend or to cultivate simplicity. However, the state facilities are rich indeed.

The steady income of a DPR member in 2009, based on the record of the House's Household Affairs Committee (BURT), is nearly Rp. 60 million per month. The basic salary and benefits, after various tax deductions, reach Rp. 16.17 million; the income from benefits and miscellaneous sources is Rp. 43.6 million. These numbers still don't include supports for recess, official visits, out-of-town meetings, and legislating.

The income of a DPD member is more or less the same. Honorary fund is approximately Rp. 31 million, housing allowance is Rp. 13 million, and communication allowance Rp. 8 million. "It's around Rp. 60 million. And if combined with money from official visits, it could be more than Rp. 70 million," said a DPD member.

Entering the parking area of Senayan, on the previous period, had the feel of going through a car showroom. Various luxurious cars are ostentatiously parked in rows. A doctor from Malaysia who recently visited Indonesia also wondered why there were so many luxurious cars in Indonesia while the state has a debt of 1,5 times higher of the National Budget.

Malik concurs, the luxurious lifestyle in the end depends on each individual council member. For example he mentioned his senior, Effendy Choirie who has been a member of DPR for several periods, but doesn't live excessively. "Choirie's car has always been that one," he said amidst his laughters.

Elnino has another way of keeping himself from getting dragged by the pragmatic pressures. He gives all his income to Team-9. The team determines how much is appropriate for him to spend and how much for the constituant program. In the first month of being the member of DPD, Elnino agreed to receive only Rp. 20 million of the Rp. 60 million that he received.

According to Elnino, the salary received by the council members should be used for the people's welfare because the money comes from debts.

How long will this idealism last? Elnino smiled. "At least, this month it's still solid," he said.

The first American president, George Washington once said that a leader must go through a process of self determination. A true leader walks on his own path. (Sutta Dharmasaputra/C17-09)