President defends salary increases for top officials

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono broke his silence Tuesday to defend his government’s plan to raise the salaries of state officials despite public criticism.

Salary raises had been a luxury for top government officials and Cabinet ministers over the last five years, presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal told reporters.

“It was the President’s instruction not to raise the salaries of the President, Vice President and Cabinet ministers over the last five years, which is unusual by international standards,” Dino said.

“Salary increases over the last five years were given to civil servants and middle to lower-ranking officials. The President’s instruction was clear and systematic.”

The President, Dino said, hoped the planned increase of top officials’ salaries Over the next five years would be implemented in a fair and just manner.

Many have criticized the plan as most of the newly installed Cabinet ministers will enjoy the pay rise before they have had time to prove their performances in the government.