Supreme Court Spokesperson: No Mass Strike Judge, But Joint Leave

The audience for the Solidarity of Indonesian Justices (SHI) at the Supreme Court building, Jakarta, Monday (7/10/2024). BETWEEN/Fath Putra Mulya

JAKARTA - Spokesperson and Deputy Chairman of the Non-judicial Division of the Supreme Court Suharto said no judges carried out mass strike movements, but they took time off simultaneously.

"It's not a collective leave, it's not a strike either, but a leave on a odd date," Suharto said when receiving an audience at the Indonesian Judge Solidarity forum (SHI) at the MA building, Jakarta, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, October 7.

Based on the provisions of the leadership of the Supreme Court, he said, leave can be taken simultaneously. However, the joint leave is different from collective leave which is basically regulated by the government.

"If these judges or SHI friends are not on collective leave, they use their leave rights at the same time. On the date, they choose," he added.

Suharto said that the joint leave does not matter as long as it does not interfere with the proceedings at the court of the origin of the judges. The judge concerned has understood what must be done first.

"As long as it is taken, it does not interfere with the trial, there is no problem," said Suharto.

At the hearing, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court for Judicial Affairs Sunarto, Deputy Chairman of the Judicial Commission Siti Nurdjanah, Spokesperson for the Judicial Commission Mukti Fajar Nur Dewata, Director General of Budget of the Ministry of Finance Isa Rachmatarwata, Chairman of the Indonesian Judicial Association (IKAHI) Yasardin, and representatives from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) were also present.

Previously, SHI planned to hold a Joint Leave Movement with Judges throughout Indonesia simultaneously on October 7, 2024. This movement was a manifestation of the judges' commitment to fight for the welfare, independence, and honor of the judiciary in Indonesia.

In a written statement, SHI spokesman Fauzan Arrasyid stated that the government's inability to adjust the judge's income was a step back and could potentially threaten the integrity of the judiciary.

"Without adequate welfare, judges could be vulnerable to corrupt practices because their income does not meet their daily needs," he said.

Fauzan explained that the Joint Leave Movement of Judges throughout Indonesia aims to voice the aspirations of the judges and remind the government that without proper welfare guarantees, law enforcement will lose the dignity and justice of hakiki.