Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced a nationwide salary increase for judges, with the highest adjustment reaching 280%. For nearly two decades, judicial salaries remained stagnant, forcing many judges—especially those in remote areas—to struggle financially.

Prabowo emphasized that judges must live with dignity, ensuring they cannot be swayed or “bought” by special interests.

“I, Prabowo Subianto, the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby declare that judges’ salaries will be increased—to guarantee their well-being—with varying levels of adjustment,” he announced during the swearing-in ceremony for judges across Indonesia at the Supreme Court Building in Jakarta, on Thursday (June 12).

According to Prabowo, judges serve as the final bastion of justice for ordinary citizens seeking fairness. Therefore, he stressed that judges must remain impartial and uphold justice without discrimination.

“The poor, the weak—they have only one hope: fair judges. The wealthy and powerful can afford top legal teams. But ordinary people depend solely on judges who are incorruptible, judges who cannot be bought, judges who love justice, judges who serve the people,” he declared.

Prabowo expressed shock upon learning that judicial salaries had not been raised in 18 years, with reports indicating that many judges still rent or lease their homes.

The President went further, stating that he was prepared to cut budgets for the military and police if necessary to fund the judiciary’s salary reform.

“The Commander of the Armed Forces is here, and the Police Chief is here. If needed, I’ll reduce the military and police budgets,” he affirmed.

Prabowo argued that law enforcement efforts are futile unless criminals are prosecuted fairly and justly.

“We need judges who are truly untouchable, judges who cannot be bought,” he emphasized.

Prabowo instructed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani to allocate funds from the State Budget (APBN) for the salary increase, prioritizing the lowest-ranking judges, with the most significant raise reaching 280%.

“But all judges will receive a substantial increase. A substantial one. And I will personally monitor this,” he assured.

Prabowo remained confident that the national budget is sufficient to fund this salary hike, emphasizing that a country’s legal system is a cornerstone of its success and that justice must be guaranteed for all citizens.

“With strong judges, we uphold the law. We enforce justice. Whoever violates the law—whoever seeks to disrupt order—must comply. It is in the interest of us all,” he concluded.