Jakarta. President-elect Prabowo Subianto has vowed to address the long-standing issue of judges’ stagnant salaries, promising improvements in their pay and benefits amid a nationwide strike. Thousands of judges are pushing for wage increases after more than a decade without raises.

Prabowo stressed that ensuring judges are immune to bribery is key to combating corruption in Indonesia. He believes improving their living standards is crucial for maintaining their integrity and honor.

He made these remarks during a phone call with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, as the DPR met with the Indonesian Judges Solidarity (SHI) at the parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

“To eliminate corruption, judges must be beyond influence or bribery. They must be honorable, and the state must provide them with sufficient income so they can maintain their dignity. They shouldn’t need to seek additional income. That is my commitment,” Prabowo said.

The strike, which began Monday, is in response to inflation and rising living costs. Judges have not seen a salary increase in over 12 years. The Supreme Court (MA) categorized the action as "a coordinated leave" rather than a formal strike, recognizing SHI’s organizational efforts.

Prabowo urged the judges to be patient, reaffirming his commitment to improving their conditions and stressing the importance of solidarity.

“We must unite, with the strong supporting the weak, to ensure our country prospers together. I was shocked by your situation, but I’m already planning how to improve it,” he said.

“A corruption-free nation depends on judges who cannot be bought. They must be strong, and we must give them the best possible conditions. That’s my resolve,” he added.

During the meeting, SHI representatives expressed frustration over the lack of attention to judges' welfare, despite their significant responsibilities. SHI Coordinator Rangga Lukita Desnata highlighted that judges' pay has been stagnant since 2012, calling it unjust.

Rangga also noted that judges' salaries are lower than those in other civil service roles, leading to dissatisfaction within the judiciary.

“We’re asking for fair and decent wages because judges carry great responsibility granted by the DPR,” he concluded.

Indonesia has around 7,700 judges at district, provincial, and national levels. The base salary for a first-year judge is Rp 2 million ($127) per month, with allowances bringing total earnings to Rp 16.6 million ($1,053). However, judges argue that these wages are no longer adequate given inflation and the increasing demands of their work.

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