Ministry seeks 75-percent raise in soldiers' operational bonus

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has proposed raising the operational allowance for Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers by 75 percent during a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) at the parliament complex here on Wednesday.

He stated that the operational allowance for soldiers should be increased as they are tasked with securing operational areas, including border regions and remote islands.

He affirmed that the proposed increase in the operational bonus also aims to improve the welfare of soldiers and civil servants within the TNI.

"The Ministry of Defense is therefore seeking to increase this operational allowance by 75 percent. If necessary, we want to raise it by 100 percent," Sjamsoeddin stated.

He clarified that although TNI soldiers receive a monthly salary, they often set aside that income for their families instead of using it during operations. According to Sjamsoeddin, soldiers typically do not spend their salaries while deployed in combat.

"However, the government provides them with an operational allowance for combat," he remarked.

He also noted that TNI soldiers typically prefer to be deployed in operational areas, as the additional allowance enables them to save more money.

Sjamsoeddin believes that a substantial bonus can boost TNI soldiers' morale on duty and also enable them to allocate their monthly salaries to support their families.

Furthermore, Minister Sjamsoeddin highlighted that the special allowance for soldiers stationed in Papua had not increased since 2002, even though inflation and the US dollar have risen.

"For this reason, we are seeking a 60-65 percent increase (in the special bonus for soldiers serving in Papua)," he stated.