Indonesian MPs hold collection to boost president's pay

Politicians often boast how in touch they are with the experience of the common people and despite their many
privileges they are capable of moaning about pay like the rest of us.

This seems to be the case with Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono whose complaints about not receiving a pay rise for seven years have prompted members of parliament to start a collection.

However, only a few coins have been put in the transparent collection box, which was placed in the hallway of a parliamentary building this week.

Yudhoyono reportedly earns around 62 million rupiah (£4,300) a month, below the 265 million rupiah earned by the central bank governor or by executives at state-owned firms.