KY Confirms 121 Judges Violated Code of Ethics Prior to Salary Increase
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Abhan Misbah, a member of the Judicial Commission (KY) for Judicial Supervision and Investigation, has confirmed that the violations of the Code of Ethics and Judicial Code of Conduct (KEPPH) by 121 judges, who have been recommended for sanctions during the first half of 2026, occurred before the 280 per cent salary increase.
“The majority of these KEPPH violations occurred long before the increase in salaries, allowances, and financial facilities for judges,” he stated in a press release in Jakarta on Friday.
Abhan explained that during the first half of 2026, the KY recommended sanctions for 121 judges found proven to have violated the KEPPH. He noted that these sanction recommendations resulted from examinations decided during KY plenary sessions between January and June 2026. Most of the cases decided in these sessions originated from public reports received by the KY before 2026.
A total of 1,402 public reports were received by the KY during the first half of 2026. These consisted of 740 reports of alleged KEPPH violations and 662 reports requiring external confirmation. These reports were verified for administrative completeness and substance; 676 reports, or 87.37 per cent, were accepted by the KY, while the remainder are still undergoing verification.
Between January and June 2026, the KY held plenary sessions for 207 reports, ultimately deciding that 73 reports were proven, leading to proposed sanctions for 121 judges. Abhan added that the increase in sanction recommendations serves as a reminder of the need for consistent strengthening of judicial integrity through the KY’s supervisory functions. This aligns with the Supreme Court’s (MA) zero-tolerance commitment to any integrity breaches. Furthermore, synergy between the KY and the MA is expected to strengthen public trust in the judiciary.
“These sanction recommendations are intended to serve as a lesson for judges to maintain the dignity of their profession. The KY is committed to upholding the implementation of the KEPPH to realise a clean and grand judiciary,” said Abhan.
Of the 121 judges, 4 were issued warnings, 86 received light sanctions, 14 received medium sanctions, and 17 received heavy sanctions. Light sanctions included verbal reprimands for 15 judges, written reprimands for 47, and written expressions of dissatisfaction for 24. Medium sanctions included a delay in periodic salary increases for up to one year for 2 judges, a delay in promotion for up to one year for 2 judges, and a suspension from presiding over cases for up to 6 months for 10 judges. Heavy sanctions included removal from office for 2 judges, suspension from presiding over cases for between 6 months and 2 years for 2 judges, dishonourable discharge for 2 judges, and demotion for up to 3 years for 3 judges. Additionally, one judge faced dismissal with pension rights, while 9 judges faced dishonourable discharge.
President Prabowo Subianto increased judges’ salaries by 280 per cent in mid-June 2026 to improve welfare and prevent bribery practices.