Overseas junkets

**gffgold** · 17-09-10, 07:52

Having passed just 10% of their legislation target so far this year, a number of our esteemed representatives are preparing for a 'study tour' of London to include a good nosh-up at the Westminster canteen (at UK taxpayers' expense), lots of crustless cucumber sandwiches and high teas with Brit political grandees, a visit to Madame Tussauds and $400 worth of oleh-oleh each.

That the British system of legislature is about as different from the Indonesian model as is possible doesn't seem to concern the esteemed bapak2.

There again, parts of the archaic Brit system may be very appealing to your average Indo VIP. The number of hereditary peers, earls and dukes has always been limited by the geographical constraints of a small island kingdom but the Indonesian archipelago offers almost unlimited opportunities for landed dukedoms. The Earl of Depok and Ciputat, perhaps, or the Dowager Countess of Wonosobo. (The title of Comte d' Manado is already taken).

Then there is the delightful prospect of your very own constitutional monarchy - "my Lords, Ladies and gentlemen: please be upstanding for His Royal Highness King Abdur Rizal I, Defender of the Pocket Book, Supreme Educator of Virgins, Divine and Innocent Victim of Natural Mud Disasters".

Crazier things have happened...

**atlantis** · 17-09-10, 08:13

I remenber having read in Kompas the amount of state money disboursed for "study tour" in 2010... I can't remenber the exact figure and need to check in the APBN again but this is really milyaran.
Not only 10% of their target have been enacted, but all (well that's a pompous locution for 6 bills) the bills passed in 2010 are just amendment or legalisation of existing bills or international treaties!

**Gratilla** · 17-09-10, 08:16

Originally Posted by gffgold

... and $400 worth of oleh-oleh each.

I think it unfair to refer to this study tour as a junket.

They were clearly researching how the Brit MPs were able to get away with much higher levels of "expenses" (than their own miserable $400) and why they didn't divert a percentage into the British legal system in order to guarantee continuance of their nicely feathered nests.

**Gratilla** · 17-09-10, 08:17

Originally Posted by atlantis

Not only they have passed only 10% of their target, but all the bills passed in 2010 are just amendment or legalisation of existing bills or international treaties!

You mean the kind of easy stuff, they can do in their sleep.

**Nimbus** · 17-09-10, 08:26

That's why they're often informally referred to as "anggota hewan" instead of "anggota dewan". I probably mentioned this already, but it's worth repeating.

**atlantis** · 17-09-10, 08:33

Originally Posted by Gratilla

You mean the kind of easy stuff, they can do in their sleep.

Yep. That's a huge shame. I am not Indonesian but I often feel I want to cry when I contemplate the little work done by this bunch of b*****ds.

**exiledgooner** · 17-09-10, 08:48

its definitely a learning trip for these guys. the british mps have been screwing the taxpayers for years, and kept it hidden, on their additional expenses...it was only a whistleblower to the telegraph that called time on the rip off

then there is the way british mps are able to screw that last penny of tax from a docile population...unlike here where people are liable to take to the streets and pollies often shirk from making controversial decisions afraid to upset the population

i can just imagine peter mandelson sat on his throne looking down at fawning indonesian mps and saying you have much to learn...

**The Von** · 17-09-10, 09:42

Hello from the dukedom of Tangerang, these sort of junkets happen everywhere over the whole world. What surprises me is why they pick to go to England and why do they only have $400 spending money.

**Nimbus** · 17-09-10, 09:54

Originally Posted by The Von

Hello from the dukedom of Tangerang, these sort of junkets happen everywhere over the whole world. What surprises me is why they pick to go to England and why do they only have $400 spending money.

Why England? Because a trip to India won't allow their spouses opportunities to shop at luxury brand shops.

**atlantis** · 17-09-10, 10:10

No, no, no... It's not only England. It is a whole bloody tour. there is, if I remenber well, England, but also France and a couple of other countries.