Prabowo Subianto Pledges Support for Indonesian Judges’ Welfare
President-elect Prabowo Subianto has made a commitment to prioritize the welfare of the country’s judges, who have been on strike demanding higher salaries. The Solidaritas Hakim Indonesia movement, consisting of hundreds of judges, initiated a week-long strike on Oct 7 to raise awareness about their unchanged wages for the past 12 years.
Background and Demands of the Striking Judges
- The strike involved judges from various regions across Indonesia, protesting for five days until Oct 11.
- They are seeking a revision to a 2012 government regulation to include annual salary adjustments for judges.
- Currently, the base salary for low-ranking judges is approximately 2.06 million rupiah, while the highest-ranking judges earn around 4.9 million rupiah.
- Judges also receive allowances based on the classification level of their court, ranging from 8.5 million to 14 million rupiah.
President-elect Prabowo’s Response
During a meeting with the House on Oct 8, President-elect Prabowo assured the striking judges that he would address their concerns once he assumes office on Oct 20. He emphasized the importance of providing judges with sufficient income to prevent corruption and maintain their dignity.
Impact of the Strike
- In 2023, around 6,000 judges served in lower courts nationwide, with over half of them handling criminal and civil cases totaling 2.2 million in that year alone.
- The judges highlighted their financial struggles and the need for salary adjustments to meet their increasing responsibilities.
Legislative Developments
Following the meeting with the House, there are discussions about initiating deliberations on a judicial tenure Bill, which would establish a legal framework for judges’ employment, rights, appointments, welfare, and supervision. This Bill has been pending in the House since 2019.
President-elect Prabowo’s commitment to addressing the judges’ welfare concerns is a positive step towards ensuring a fair and just judicial system in Indonesia. By recognizing the importance of providing judges with adequate income, he aims to promote integrity and professionalism within the judiciary.