TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged members of the executive and legislative branches not to feel envious of a major salary increase granted to judges, which he said has reached up to 280 percent during his administration.
Speaking at the Attorney General’s Office in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Prabowo said the pay raise for judges reflects his government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary.
“One of our first steps is to increase the salaries of our judges by almost 300 percent. I wanted 300 percent, but the Minister of Finance only agreed to 280 percent. Okay,” he said.
The Gerindra Party chairman also promised that salaries for court clerks and judicial staff would be raised. He, however, reminded other branches of government not to feel left out. “Other branches of government, do not be envious of the judiciary,” he said.
Prabowo said the salary increase is intended to ensure that courts become places where citizens can obtain fair and effective justice. He also cautioned judges to exercise responsibility in their rulings, noting that their decisions will be closely judged by the public.
The president added that he had received reports suggesting Indonesian judges now earn more than their counterparts in Malaysia. He said the information came from Supreme Court Chief Justice Sunarto.
“Last week, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court met me and said he had attended a meeting of ASEAN Supreme Court chief justices. The Chief Justice of Malaysia reportedly told him: ‘I am amazed by Indonesia. For the first time, Indonesian judges’ salaries are higher than those of Malaysian judges,’” Prabowo said.
He also noted that even junior judges in Indonesia now earn nearly twice as much as their counterparts in Malaysia.
Prabowo said the government began increasing judges’ salaries in 2025 as part of broader efforts to strengthen the justice system. He previously raised the issue during the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly at the DPR complex in Jakarta on August 15, 2025.
At the time, he said judges’ salaries had been increased by up to 280 percent, describing the move as part of efforts to reinforce law enforcement and support anti-corruption measures.
“We work to uphold law and justice. One important aspect in upholding law and justice is ensuring that judges’ salaries are in good condition,” he said.
Read: Prabowo to Raise Salaries of Court Clerks and Staff
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