No, Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s salary will not rise to 500 million rupiah
- This article is more than one year old.
- Published on June 29, 2018 at 16:30
- 1 min read
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Jawa Pos, an Indonesian national daily newspaper, published a story on its website March 9 stating the president's salary is set to rise to 553 million rupiah ($39,000) per month, a dramatic increase.
The newspaper does not cite a source in support of the claim, but says the new salary figure is based on its reading of a decree being drafted by the government.
News website Pojok Satu also published a story on May 29 headlined: “The president’s salary will increase from 30 million to 500 million.”
However, the ministry of bureaucratic reform, which oversees government salaries, told AFP on June 26 the reports were inaccurate.
Ministry spokesman Herman Suryatman said while a presidential pay rise was discussed in passing at a meeting two years ago, it never progressed.
“It was suggested... and there has been no follow up. I don't understand how this could blow up and cause a misunderstanding,” he told AFP.
Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani was also quoted as saying a pay rise was never under consideration and the supposed decree circulating online was fabricated.
"There is no such thing and we have never discussed it,” news website Detik quoted her as saying in March.
“As mentioned by the bureaucratic reform minister it is a hoax, and I agree.”
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