Prabowo Delivers Historic 280% Pay Hike for Judges, Pledges Clean Judiciary
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has announced a sweeping pay hike for judges across Indonesia, with the largest increase reaching 280% for junior-level judges. The move marks the most significant salary reform for the judiciary in nearly two decades.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,451 judges at the Supreme Court building in Jakarta on Thursday, June 12, 2025, Prabowo said the raise was overdue, noting that judges’ salaries had remained stagnant for 18 years.
“This increase—especially the 280% raise for junior judges—is still not enough, in my view,” Prabowo said. “They haven’t received a 3% raise in nearly two decades. Not even 5%. That’s why today I decided to act.”
The salary hike, he emphasized, was not a form of indulgence, but a necessary step to strengthen the nation’s justice system and shield it from corruption.
“It’s not spoiling them. It’s better than letting the country’s money be stolen by those shadowy creatures,” he said, drawing applause.
Call for Integrity
Prabowo used the occasion to deliver a stern warning to the judiciary, urging judges to uphold integrity and reject any form of bribery or favoritism in the courtroom.
“I’ve issued repeated warnings. But if warnings don’t work, then soon, with strong judges in place, we will enforce the law—firmly and without compromise,” he declared.
He urged all state civil servants in other institutions to be patient as the government focuses first on judicial reform. “To others, I say—be patient. I’ve seen the numbers. This is a strong country, a wealthy country, a prosperous country,” he said.
“Judges Are the Last Bastion of Justice”
In an emotional moment during his speech, Prabowo’s voice trembled as he spoke about the role of judges in protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in society.
“The poor and powerless have no choice but to rely on judges who are fair,” he said, pausing as he appeared to fight back tears. “You are the last bastion of justice.”
He contrasted the resources available to wealthy defendants—legal teams and influence—with the struggles faced by everyday Indonesians who rely on the honesty of the judiciary.
Government Housing for Judges
Alongside the salary increase, Prabowo also pledged to build dedicated housing for judges. He said he was “shocked” to learn that many judges still live in rental accommodations, despite handling cases worth trillions of rupiah.
“We’re organizing housing now. Hopefully construction will begin soon. We will launch a major housing program,” he said.
Legislative Support—and a Warning
The pay hike received backing from Parliament, with lawmakers urging the judiciary to clean up its ranks. Hasbiallah Ilyas, a member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, called the salary reform a step toward strengthening judicial independence.
“It's time judges received decent welfare so they can carry out their duties with high integrity, free from the temptations of money or influence,” he said.
Hasbiallah also warned that the raise must come with accountability. “This must be the moment for the Supreme Court and the entire judicial branch to clean house,” he said, citing past bribery scandals involving high-ranking judges, including former Supreme Court Justice Sudrajad Dimyati and others.
“Judges are God’s representatives on Earth. Don’t betray that trust,” he added.