“My aspiration is that, with God’s blessing, the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies will no longer employ officials who provide services in a transactional manner in the future. That is my big dream,” he said in Jakarta on Friday.
He informed that he has communicated his desire to build a clean judiciary to President Prabowo Subianto and several other national institution leaders.
He added that he will not tolerate corruption in the judiciary, regardless of the amount involved.
“If this happens, even if it is just Rp1 million, Rp100 million, or even Rp100 thousand, I will remove them from their positions. I will discharge them. This act is not a threat, but a measure to preserve the dignity and honor of all of us,” he emphasized.
Sunarto noted that the President has high respect for the judiciary, and it is only fitting that judges show respect for their profession.
“The President, as the Head of State, respects judges, while the judges themselves, who hold positions, do not respect their positions. I urge you to reflect on this carefully and respect your position,” he said.
Earlier, on Thursday, the Supreme Court inaugurated 1,451 new judges. The inauguration ceremony at the Supreme Court building in Jakarta was directly attended by President Prabowo.
At the event, Prabowo said that he has decided to increase judges’ salaries based on his belief that Indonesia is a strong, prosperous, and wealthy nation.
“All judges’ salaries will increase significantly, and I will monitor this closely,” he informed.
“All other employees should be patient. I have seen the numbers. Our country is strong, prosperous, and wealthy,” he added.
Regarding the salary increase policy, he pointed out that judges have not seen any significant salary increases for 18 years.
Therefore, he has decided to raise the salary of the most junior judges by up to 280 percent.
He emphasized that the policy is meant to strengthen the legal system to prevent the abuse of state funds by irresponsible parties.
“Today, President Prabowo Subianto decided to increase the salary of the most junior judges by 280 percent, and this is not to pamper them. It is to prevent state money from being stolen by those who have unclear motives,” Prabowo said.
The 1,451 new judges have been assigned to the General Judiciary, Religious Courts, Military Courts, and Administrative Courts. Of the total, 40.7 percent are women.
Theirs are the first judicial appointments in five years. The last appointment of a career judge was in 2020.
Several ministers from the Red and White Cabinet accompanied the President during the inauguration of the new judges.
They included Minister of Justice, Supratman Andi Agtas; Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi; Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya; chief of the National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; and commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto.
Related news: Prabowo announces 280 percent pay hike for judges
Translator: Fianda, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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