Jakarta — President-elect Prabowo Subianto stressed the importance of having incorruptible judges as one of the keys to a corruption-free nation. He conveyed this message during a conversation with Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, while meeting with the Indonesian Judges’ Solidarity group at the DPR building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (October 8).
“Trust me, the foundation of a prosperous, well-functioning, corruption-free country lies in having judges who cannot be influenced,” stated Prabowo.
“Therefore, judges must possess strength, and we must ensure that they have the best possible working conditions. This is my commitment,” he added.
In his role as Indonesia’s current Defense Minister, Prabowo underscored the importance of enhancing judges’ quality of life and ensuring their financial stability.
“If you look at my past statements and actions, you will see that I have always believed in the need to improve and secure judges’ living standards so that they can uphold their independence and fulfill their duties effectively,” Prabowo explained.
Prabowo has long been committed to elevating judges’ remuneration as part of his vision for the country.
The Indonesian Judges Association recently met with DPR officials to voice their concerns about the lack of salary increases in the last 12 years. They disclosed that their current salaries are insufficient to meet their families’ needs.
For newly appointed judges, their take-home pay is approximately Rp 12 million, consisting of a basic salary of Rp 3.5 million and allowances totaling Rp 8.5 million.
“Our current salary is equivalent to the pocket money Rafathar gets for just three days,” remarked Rangga, a representative of the judges, referring to the son of celebrity Raffi Ahmad. “Yet, we have to support our families, children, and elderly parents,” he emphasized.
Rangga pointed out that the Rp 12 million salary is inadequate considering the level of responsibility judges carry. Prabowo’s commitment to address this issue has been well-received by judges who eagerly anticipate the positive changes he has promised upon assuming office. (RR)
