The Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Hopes That The Increase In Judges' Salaries Will Be The Motivation Of Justice System Reform

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, inaugurated the Soekarno Statue at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. (doc. DPR)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, welcomed President Prabowo Subianto's move to increase the judge's salary by 280 percent. Puan hopes that this salary increase will be a motivation for judicial system reform.

"The increase in the judge's salary by President Prabowo should be appreciated as an effort to strengthen the pillars of the judiciary and maintain the rule of law," said DPR Speaker Puan Maharani, Friday, June 13.

"We hope (asspect the judge's salary) becomes a motivation for overall justice system reform. Punishment and rewards are important for improving promotional governance," he added.

President Prabowo officially announced that the Government would raise the judge's salary by 280 percent. This was conveyed at the inauguration of the Supreme Court (MA) Judge.

Prabowo has ordered his staff to seek money in order to raise the judge's salary, he did not even hesitate to reduce the budget posture of the TNI and Polri. Prabowo also emphasized that one of the conditions for becoming a successful country is a fair legal system. According to him, countries that do not have a good legal system will experience instability that must be anticipated.

The increase in the judge's salary has also been regulated in Government Regulation Number 44 of 2024 concerning the Third Amendment to Amendment to Government Regulation Number 94 of 2012 concerning Financial Rights and Facilities of Judges Under the Supreme Court (MA).

Puan assessed that Prabowo's move to increase the judge's salary was in line with the spirit of strengthening the national legal system. He views this policy as part of a long-term strategy to encourage the professionalism of judges in enforcing the law fairly.

"This salary increase is part of a fiscal policy that is in favor of strengthening legal institutions. Hopefully, with a more appropriate welfare, judges can carry out their duties independently," said Puan.

Even so, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture reminded that the increase in salaries for judges must be accompanied by increased performance in order to maintain public trust in the legal system. Puan hopes that the increase in judge salaries can minimize irregularities in judicial institutions.

"Adding the judge's salary is important as a form of state appreciation for the function of the judiciary. The increase in salary must also be accompanied by improvements in the integrity of the judges," he said.

"Integrity is not a commodity that can be bought by the state. It is formed from a strict ethical system, a strict audit mechanism, and the courage to take action against violations without compromise," added Puan.

Puan also stated that this policy should be part of a comprehensive and coordinated reform framework across institutions.

"Repairing the judicial system cannot be done sectorally, but must be comprehensive so that all elements of law enforcement move in the same vision," he said.

Puan said that the DPR also has a commitment to legal reform in Indonesia. For this reason, she encourages the policy of increasing the judge's salary to be accompanied by systemic steps such as strengthening and independence of the Judicial Commission (KY) in supervising the ethics and behavior of judges.

"Including public openness to the State Administrators Wealth Report (LHKPN) of judges, periodic and independent audits of the behavior and decisions of the judiciary," said Puan.

According to Puan, the increase in anti-corruption education and ethics must exist from the recruitment stage of prospective judges. " Awarding the profession of judges through improving welfare certainly deserves appreciation. However, the balance between incentives and supervision remains important so that the goal of strengthening justice integrity can be achieved," he explained.

Puan also reminded the importance of building a strong justice system through a system that is transparent, accountable, and with integrity. "Including the transfer of judges to be carried out in an accountable manner and free from transactional practice," said Puan.

On the other hand, Puan ensured that the DPR would oversee the policy of increasing the judge's salary in a judicial institution which is the main pillar in the legal state.

"The DPR RI will closely monitor the implementation of this policy and encourage reform of judicial institutions that touch to the root of the problem," he concluded.