President-elect Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of having judges who cannot be corrupted as a key factor in building a nation free from corruption. He made this statement during a phone call with Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, while addressing the Indonesian Judges’ Solidarity group at the DPR building in Senayan, Jakarta on Tuesday (October 8).
“Believe me, the key to a prosperous, well-functioning, corruption-free country is having judges who cannot be bought,” Prabowo asserted.
“Because of that, judges must be strong, and their conditions must be the best we can provide. This is my commitment,” he continued.
As Indonesia’s current Defense Minister, Prabowo reiterated the importance of improving the quality of life and ensuring financial security for judges as a top priority.
“You can study my past speeches and records. I have always believed that judges’ living standards need to be improved and guaranteed so that they can remain independent and perform their duties to the best of their abilities,” Prabowo added.
Prabowo’s long-standing vision for the country includes enhancing the remuneration of judges, which he sees as crucial for upholding justice.
The Indonesian Judges Association recently met with DPR leadership to voice their concerns about the lack of salary increases over the past 12 years. They revealed that their current earnings are insufficient to support their families.
For newly appointed judges, their net income is approximately Rp 12 million, consisting of a base salary of Rp 3.5 million and allowances of Rp 8.5 million.
“Our salary now is like the pocket money of Rafathar for three days,” said Rangga, a representative of the judges, referring to the son of celebrity Raffi Ahmad. “Meanwhile, we have to support our families, children, and parents,” he added.
Rangga emphasized that the current salary of Rp 12 million is inadequate considering the level of responsibility that judges carry. Prabowo’s promise to address this issue has been well-received by judges, who are hopeful for positive changes once he assumes office.
