MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Indonesian government's decision to increase performance allowances (Tunjangan Kinerja/Tukin) for personnel of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and employees of the Ministry of Defense (Kemenhan) has drawn criticism from legal aid organization LBH Medan. The organization considers the policy a reflection of unbalanced government priorities in improving social protection for teachers in Indonesia.
The Director of
LBH Medan, Irvan Saputra, S.H., M.H., expressed disappointment over the government's decision to establish the increase in performance allowances through Presidential Regulations No. 42 and 43 of 2026 concerning performance allowances for employees within the Indonesian Armed Forces and the
Ministry of Defense.
According to Irvan, teachers, who have long played a crucial role in developing the quality of Indonesia's human resources, have yet to receive comparable government attention regarding their social and economic welfare.
He emphasized that the teaching profession holds a strategic role because educators are directly involved in shaping the future generation of the nation. However, many
honorary teachers (honorer teachers) continue to face various challenges in achieving a decent standard of living.
"Teachers' social protection is not merely a matter of income or salary increases, but a long-term investment in the future of the nation," Irvan said in an official statement on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
TNI and Kemenhan Tukin Increase Sparks Public Concern
Irvan stated that teachers are not merely administrative workers in the education sector. Instead, they are key actors who determine the quality of human resources and Indonesia's competitiveness in the future.
He also referred to
President Prabowo Subianto's statement on June 24, 2026, in which the President cited financial limitations as the reason why improvements to teacher salaries had not yet been implemented.
"The public still remembers that President Prabowo Subianto stated in his speech on June 24, 2026, that teacher salary improvements or increases had not been carried out because there was insufficient funding," Irvan said.
In his view, the statement raised new questions after the government approved an increase in performance allowances for TNI personnel and
Ministry of Defense employees only about a month later.
He considered the decision inconsistent with the economic conditions faced by the public, who continue to experience various pressures, including the low income received by many honorary teachers.
"In relation to the approval of Presidential Regulations No. 42 and 43 of 2026,
LBH Medan, as an organization focused on law enforcement, human rights, and the welfare of teachers, particularly
honorary teachers, strongly condemns this policy of
President Prabowo," Irvan stated.
Irvan called on the government to establish a fairer and more proportional budget policy by considering all professional groups that make significant contributions to the state.
"
LBH Medan views the increase in Tukin for TNI personnel and
Ministry of Defense employees amid Indonesia's difficult economic situation, while the government is simultaneously required to implement budget efficiency and many teachers continue to receive only around Rp500,000 per month, as a form of injustice and a betrayal by
President Prabowo toward teachers," Irvan explained.
TEACHER WELFARE AS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT:LBH Medan Director Irvan Saputra, S.H., M.H., explains that improving teacher welfare represents a long-term investment in the future of the nation. (FOTO: Doc. LBH Medan)
LBH Medan Highlights Inequality in Social Welfare Policies
LBH Medan stated that issues surrounding teacher welfare are not new. Irvan said unequal government attention toward teachers had previously been evident, including the salary increase for judges in June 2025, which reached an increase of up to 280 to 300 percent.
In addition, Irvan criticized the allocation of large state budget funds for several priority programs, including the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program and Kopdes, whose objectives and benefits remain subjects of public discussion.
"The public has even seen how the President confidently stated that if his staff requested five trillion rupiah, they would receive ten trillion rupiah. This is a complete 360-degree contrast to the situation when teachers demand better living conditions but are told that there is no available funding," Irvan said.
According to
LBH Medan, the state has a constitutional obligation to improve teachers' welfare because education is one of the fundamental objectives of the state as stated in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution.
LBH Medan also referred to Law No. 14 of 2005 concerning Teachers and Lecturers, which recognizes teachers as professional workers entitled to adequate income and social security while carrying out their duties.
The organization further linked
teacher welfare issues with a human rights perspective.
LBH Medan referred to Article 23 Paragraph 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that every working person has the right to fair and adequate remuneration that ensures a dignified life for themselves and their families.
CALL FOR FAIR BUDGET POLICIES: LBH Medan urges the government to implement proportional and equitable budget policies for all strategic professional groups. (FOTO: Archive LBH Medan)
Call for Review of Government Budget Priorities
LBH Medan emphasized that the organization does not reject improvements in the welfare of TNI personnel, judges, or other state employees. However, the government must implement fair policies without neglecting other professional groups that also play important roles in the nation's development.
According to
LBH Medan, improvements to the social protection of all state employees must consider their duties, responsibilities, as well as the economic and social conditions of the wider community.
"This policy must be implemented proportionally and fairly. If the government can create significant financial room for salary increases for judges and performance allowances in the defense sector, but cannot improve teacher welfare, this clearly demonstrates President Prabowo's injustice toward teachers," Irvan added.
LBH Medan urged
President Prabowo to review Presidential Regulations No. 42 and 43 of 2026 and immediately take steps to improve
teacher welfare throughout Indonesia.
According to Irvan, the existence of well-supported teachers is one of the most important keys to developing an advanced nation capable of competing at the global level. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Darmailawati | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala