Indonesia’s President, Prabowo Subianto, officially declared today a salary raise for judges nationwide, with hikes reaching as high as 280 percent. The announcement took place during the inauguration of 1,451 new judges at the Supreme Court Building in Jakarta on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
President Prabowo explained that the salary adjustments vary based on judicial ranks, with junior judges receiving the most substantial increases. "Judges' salaries will be raised to improve their welfare, with increases varying up to 280 percent at the highest end," he said.
The primary motivation behind this policy is to prevent corruption and strengthen the integrity of Indonesia’s judicial system. Prabowo emphasized that this increase should not be seen as "pampering," but rather as an "investment in justice" and a strategic step to enhance judges’ credibility and reduce the risk of bribery.
Similar statements were made earlier during his visit to Bogor on May 2, 2025, where he underlined the importance of raising judges' pay to deter them from accepting illicit payments.
The Supreme Court has welcomed this policy enthusiastically. Spokesperson for the Supreme Court, Judge Yanto, remarked that this raise is essential to place judges in a dignified position, free from economic pressures, noting that their salaries have not been significantly adjusted since 2012-2013. Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Adies Kadir, also expressed support, viewing the increase as an effective measure to curb judicial mafia practices.
However, some criticism has arisen. Anti-corruption activists from IDN Times argue that increasing salaries alone is insufficient to eradicate corruption; they call for stronger oversight and rigorous law enforcement to accompany such financial reforms.
Overall, the policy covers all judges in Indonesia, though exact figures and budget allocations have yet to be detailed. Prabowo stated that the implementation will be closely monitored, including the possibility of extending similar raises to other government officials.
With a salary increase unprecedented in almost twenty years, the government hopes to foster a more independent and integrity-driven judiciary. This measure is also expected to boost public confidence in Indonesia’s legal institutions.
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