Jakarta. Thousands of judges across Indonesia began a week-long strike on Monday, demanding higher wages. They argue that their salaries have remained stagnant for the past 12 years despite rising inflation.

However, some courts are continuing with scheduled hearings due to pressing time constraints in certain civil and criminal cases. Judges who remain on duty are wearing white ribbons on their left arms to show solidarity with their striking colleagues.

“The Central Jakarta District Court is proceeding with scheduled trials today,” court spokesman Zulkifli Atjo said. “While our fellow judges are on mass leave in support of the strike, we still have cases that need to be concluded due to time-sensitive matters.”

He explained that one of the urgent tasks includes ruling on prosecutors' requests to extend the detention periods of defendants whose current detention terms are nearing expiration.

“We fully support the ongoing movement, but there are compelling reasons to hold certain hearings. We cannot neglect our responsibility to provide public service,” Zulkifli added.

Meanwhile, the courthouse in Bekasi, just east of Jakarta, saw less activity than usual as the strike got underway. Nonetheless, four hearings were still scheduled for the day.

Bekasi court spokesman Suparman explained that the extension of detention periods for some defendants requires immediate judicial approval.

“We cannot disappoint those seeking justice, and our public service must go on. To show solidarity, we are wearing white ribbons on our arms,” Suparman said.

Indonesia has approximately 7,700 judges serving at district, provincial, and national levels. According to a 2012 government regulation, the basic salary for a first-year judge is Rp 2 million, with additional benefits totaling Rp 14.6 million, bringing the total monthly take-home pay to Rp 16.6 million for the lowest-ranking judges.

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