Conflicting expert opinions<\/p>\n
Reading experts' opinions about legal matters in the print
\nmedia -- something akin to a crash course for the community --
\nwill only lead to confusion.<\/p>\n
In criminal law, for example, the Indonesian acronym KUHP for
\nthe Criminal Code may be twisted into Kasih Uang Habis Perkara,
\n(give money and the case is closed). It is a reality that a
\nwallet is more powerful than a law.<\/p>\n
When attorney general Marzuki Darusman made a statement that
\nPresident Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid was not involved in scams
\ninvolving the funds of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and
\nmonetary aid from the Sultan of Brunei, many legal experts voiced
\ndoubt about the truth of this statement on the grounds that,
\namong other things, Marzuki was then Gus Dur's close assistant.
\nLater, when Marzuki was dismissed from his position, this
\nunsympathetic comment simply blew away in the wind.<\/p>\n
The public becomes even more confused in the area of
\nconstitutional law. Constitutional law experts have made
\nconflicting statements, which will not serve as a guideline for
\nthe public but a spectacle devoid of attractiveness, instead.<\/p>\n
Constitutional law experts -- veterans and newcomers alike --
\ncannot agree when interpreting a particular case, for example
\nwhether the Brunei scandal is a political or legal case. The two
\ncamps refuse to budge from their positions as one side maintains
\nit is a legal case while the other holds it is a political one.
\nThe result? More confusion for the public.<\/p>\n
It is really hard to find truth in oral statements made by our
\nexperts, so the public can simply decide to ignore these
\nstatements. The people, out of utter exasperation, have their own
\nperception of the so-called Bruneigate.<\/p>\n
For the public this matter is neither political nor legal. To
\nthe realistic and practical-minded public, this matter is just a
\nmatter of money. Want evidence? Well, when a case does not
\ninvolve money, nobody cares. Once the case is related to money,
\neveryone cares.<\/p>\n
SUKANTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/conflicting-expert-opinions-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }