Why Do Doctors and Teachers Deserve to Be Paid More Than Members of the DPR RI?

Most people would likely agree that doctors and teachers are two of the most vital professions for building a civilized society. They are not just instrumental in maintaining physical health and intellectual growth; they are the architects of our future.

Yet, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. In Indonesia, for example, the salaries of many contract teachers are still far from adequate, often falling below the regional minimum wage.

Ironically, the salaries and allowances of members of the House of Representatives Republic Indonesia (DPR RI) are frequently much higher, even when their performance is often under scrutiny.

Read Also : Why Indomaret Parking Attendants Sometimes Earn More Than New CPNS?

Salaries and Allowances for Members of Indonesian House of Representatives/ DPR RI 2025

Salaries and Allowances for Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (2025) according to a report by Portal Lebak, the basic salary for members of the House of Representatives is only around Rp 4,200,000 per month, but their total income, including a position allowance of Rp 9,700,000, an intensive communication allowance of Rp 15,554,000, and an honorarium allowance of Rp 5,580,000, totals approximately Rp 70–80 million per month for ordinary members (Liputan6, Portal Lebak).

This is supported by Liputan6, which indicates that when including position allowances and other benefits, House leaders can earn more than Rp 100 million per month (Portal Lebak).

Discrepancies with Honorary Teachers: The total allowance for one member of the House of Representatives during a five-year term is estimated at around Rp 3.24 billion. With an honorary teacher’s salary of Rp 5 million per month, this amount could pay more than 600 teachers in one year (Jakarta’s Minimum Regional Income).

Meanwhile, many honorary teachers in Indonesia earn salaries ranging from Rp 300,000 to Rp 2 million per month (Sukabumi update).

Proposed Ideal Teacher Salary: Rp 25 Million per Month

Juliyatmono, a member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, stated that the ideal teacher salary is Rp 25 million per month to improve the quality of education and make the teaching profession more attractive to the younger generation (Detik.com).

According to him, if teachers’ salaries are equal to those of other professionals, teaching motivation will grow and national education will progress.

Why Should Doctors and Teachers Be Paid More?

• Great responsibility: Doctors save lives, and teachers shape the character of the nation’s next generation.
• High education and costs: Both professions require years of education and professional certification.
• Direct service to the public: Both doctors and teachers help the community directly every day.
• Potential for preventing social problems: Teachers prevent intergenerational poverty through education, while doctors provide preventative health services.

The pay gap between members of the House of Representatives and professionals like doctors and teachers is not just about numbers.

It’s about public policy priorities and long-term investment. If members of the House of Representatives receive monthly allowances of tens of millions, it’s only natural that doctors and teachers receive equal financial rewards.

Raising teachers’ salaries to Rp 25 million and improving the doctors’ pay system should be a key agenda for social reform in Indonesia.