President Prabowo: Junior Judges' Income Up 280%, Surpassing ASEAN Average
President Prabowo Subianto has underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening the independence of the judiciary through a significant improvement in judges’ welfare. In a state address, the President revealed that the income of the most junior judges in Indonesia has now increased by 280%.
The statement was delivered by President Prabowo during the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the House of Representatives (DPR) in 2026 at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026). This increase is said to be the highest in several decades.
“For the most junior judges, their income has risen by 280%, the highest in several decades. Now the income of our judges, especially the junior ones, is above the ASEAN average,” President Prabowo stated.
The President explained that this policy is intended to safeguard the dignity and independence of judges, preventing them from being easily intervened by external parties. This improvement in living standards has even placed the income of Indonesia’s highest judicial leaders at a competitive level regionally.
According to a report received by the President from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (MA), the income of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia is now claimed to have surpassed that of the Chief Justice of Singapore.
Despite the drastic improvement in welfare, President Prabowo issued a firm reminder regarding the moral and professional responsibilities of judges. He stressed that the improvement in living standards must be directly proportional to integrity in deciding cases.
“We must uphold the rule of law and the independence of judges. The government continues to strive to improve the living standards of judges, but independence means nothing without judicial accountability,” he asserted.
The 2026 Annual Session is part of the series of commemorations for the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, carrying the theme “A Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia.” In addition to the state address, the agenda also included performance reports from state institutions and the screening of a video on government performance achievements under President Prabowo’s leadership.