Indonesian Judge Solidarity Appreciates Jokowi Signs PP For Increasing Salaries, But Still Not Satisfied

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Indonesian Judge Solidarity (SHI) appreciates the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo who has signed Government Regulation Number 44 of 2024 concerning the Third Amendment to PP Number 94 of 2012 concerning Financial Rights and Facilities of Judges Under the Supreme Court.

"With full gratitude, we express our deep appreciation to the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Joko Widodo, and the relevant ministries for their support and alignment with fair law enforcement efforts," said SHI spokesman Fauzan Arrasyid as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 22.

SHI also expressed its gratitude to the leadership of the Supreme Court, the Central Executive of the Indonesian Panel of Judges (IKAHI), as well as all Indonesian judges who have supported the struggle to improve the welfare of the judge.

"Not to forget, thank you to the leaders of the DPR RI, DPD RI, MPR RI, leaders of the DPR RI faction, religious leaders, national leaders, media friends, and all elements of society who actively participate in supporting this movement," added Fauzan.

According to SHI, PP Number 44 of 2024 which regulates an increase in office allowances by 40 percent is an achievement that should be appreciated. The reason is, one in four SHI demands has been responded to by the government.

However, SHI assessed that the issuance of the PP had not resolved all problems.

According to SHI, PP No. 44 of 2024 only includes an increase in job allowances, while the other nine components of financial rights have not been regulated.

Fauzan explained, components that have not been regulated include basic salary, housing facilities, transportation, health insurance, security guarantees, official travel costs, protocol positions, and pension income and other benefits.

In addition, SHI feels that the inequality in judges' welfare is still happening. The 40 percent increase scheme in the PP is considered unable to overcome the problem of inequality for first-degree judges, especially in second-class courts in various districts/cities.

"The judges at that level face greater challenges and the current policy has not been fully effective in reducing the burden," Fauzan said.

The government, he continued, needs to understand comprehensively the decision of the Supreme Court Number 23P/HUM/2018. Fauzan explained that the Supreme Court's decision not only regulates the separation of basic salary norms and the pension of judges from ASN, but also demands a higher nominal determination.

Therefore, SHI remains committed to fighting for the four main demands to the government, namely adjustments to all financial rights and judge facilities; reopening the discussion of the Judge's Position Bill until it is passed into law, encouraging the preparation of the Contempt of Court Bill, and issuing PP on security guarantees for judges and their families.

Previously, the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo signed PP Number 44 of 2024 on October 18, 2024. This means that Jokowi signed the PP for changing the salaries and allowances of judges two days before his retirement as President of the Republic of Indonesia.