Court gives qualified nod to Benjamin's bid<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court said it would accept the
\nappointment of Benjamin Mangkoedilaga as a member of the
\ncountry's highest court if his qualifications met requirements
\nunder the law.<\/p>\n
Supreme Court secretary-general Pranowo told The Jakarta Post
\nthat his office held no personal objections to Benjamin being
\nappointed.<\/p>\n
However, he repeatedly stressed that Benjamin's nomination and
\npossible appointment would need to meet the legal prerequisites
\nfor a supreme justice.<\/p>\n
He underlined that such legal qualifications took on an even
\ngreater importance if Benjamin was nominated as the chief
\njustice.<\/p>\n
\"We would welcome Pak Benjamin entering the Supreme Court if
\nthe House of Representatives (DPR) has considered the
\nnomination ... which I believe will include legal aspects,\"
\nPranowo said.<\/p>\n
Benjamin has gained widespread public support, including from
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid, to be appointed to the Supreme
\nCourt.<\/p>\n
However, his name was not included among the 24 nominees
\nsubmitted by the Supreme Court to the House.<\/p>\n
The government and the House have said they would include him
\nalong with several legal experts as additional candidates.<\/p>\n
Pranowo highlighted the requirements under Law No. 14\/1985,
\nwhich states that nominees to the Supreme Court must be career
\njudges who served a minimum of 10 years as a provincial judge or
\nfive years as chief provincial judge.<\/p>\n
But the law also leaves open the possibility for noncareer
\njudges to be appointed to the Supreme Court as long as they had a
\nminimum of 15 years experience in the legal field.<\/p>\n
\"In our consideration, Pak Benjamin is not qualified in either
\nof the terms because he has retired,\" Pranowo said.<\/p>\n
\"But I will leave it to the House to decide because they are
\nthe one who has the authority (to appoint the judges).<\/p>\n
\"The Supreme Court only carries out the decision.\"<\/p>\n
Pranowo conceded that it was now a point of interpretation.<\/p>\n
\"If the House regards Pak Benjamin is now retired and can be
\nplaced into the second category (noncareer nominees), it is up to
\nthem. It's a matter of interpretation.\"<\/p>\n
Pranowo said his office could only nominate career judges
\nbased on their track records. (dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/court-gives-qualified-nod-to-benjamins-bid-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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