President Urges Evaluation of Salary and Allowance Increases for State Officials, Avoid Causing Public Dispute
By: Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomall, S.H., M.H.
This is a new occurrence in Indonesian history, but it must be met with real logic, considering the purpose and reasons behind it. It’s fine to ask questions, but don’t create complications about the reasons and reasons behind them.
Salary and allowance increases for state officials in various sectors certainly have a purpose, such as improving the welfare of officials, which is perfectly legitimate. Furthermore, it may be to prevent corruption, so don’t immediately claim it’s inappropriate.
However, the President needs to evaluate the reasons and how behind this. And most importantly, the government must also consider its citizens, lest they feel neglected by the government alone.
It’s ironic and unsympathetic that layoffs are widespread and unemployment reaches tens of millions, yet the salary and allowance increases for regional heads and the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) have risen so significantly.
Perhaps the government led by General Haji Prabowo Subiyanto’s goal of increasing regional head allowances and salaries is to stop corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN), extortion, bribery, and eradicate the mafia of “rogue” (rogue) workers across Indonesia. Therefore, salary increases are prioritized. Therefore, the functions of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as supervisors of corruption must be optimized to ensure their effectiveness. This shouldn’t just be a ceremonial speech that says corruption must be eradicated and combated.
Therefore, it’s also important to consider the plight of the community, which has fallen into poverty due to bankruptcy. State funds should be used to ensure that hundreds of thousands of children don’t drop out of school and that the poor can be helped through work programs.
To optimize the significant work undertaken by regional heads, increasing allowances and salaries for regional heads and members of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) is crucial.
However, strict oversight of the work of regional heads and DPRD members must be maximized. Corrupt practices involving extortion and bribery must be brought to justice.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subiyanto has been asked to evaluate all allowances and salary increases for his staff, the House of Representatives (DPR RI), and Regional People’s Representative Councils (DPRD) throughout Indonesia. Those who are not serious about their work and are unable to improve the welfare of the people in their respective jurisdictions must have their budgets removed.
There are more pressing matters: addressing the public interest, where large budgets are used to support the economy and development, and caring for the poor.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia is the hope of the wider community, opening creative and economic programs to stimulate the economy. Special steps are needed to attract more foreign investors to collaborate in building businesses in Indonesia, thereby absorbing millions of workers.
America and Europe are the world’s largest investors, pouring millions of dollars into investments. Russia, Kuwait, the Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are also involved.
Provide a 10-year tax exemption for foreign investors who invest millions of dollars in establishing businesses in Indonesia. This will undoubtedly create millions of jobs for Indonesian youth. Simplify administrative and licensing processes. There will be numerous benefits for Indonesia in the import-export tax system.
There must be no more actions by Regional Heads and Regional People’s Representative Councils (DPRD) that disappoint their communities, causing widespread public anger and reactions.**
Jakarta, September 13, 2025
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Editor’s Note:
*Prof. Dr. KH. Sutan Nasomal, SH, MH, International Criminal Law Expert, Economist, President of the Merdeka Opposition Party, Company General, and Caretaker of the ASS SAQWA PLUS Islamic Boarding School in Jakarta
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