Criteria for chief justice<\/p>\n
I fully agree with Faisal Baasir's criticism of the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) concerning President Abdurrahman \"Gus
\nDur\" Wahid's supporters, who always try to justify his ideas,
\nincluding his wish to appoint Benyamin Mangkoedilaga as the new
\nchief justice to replace Sarwata.<\/p>\n
The pro and con groups have each stated their arguments, which
\nessentially concern Law No. 14\/1995 which states that a chief
\njustice must be from within the Supreme Court, which Benyamin is
\nnot; past experiences in which a judge from outside can be made
\nchief justice; and statements that the justices of the court are
\nalready infested with collusion, corruption and nepotism.<\/p>\n
Because the chief justice, the judges and their subordinates
\nare in the front line of law enforcement, it is only fitting that
\nwe are cautious in determining the person for the job.<\/p>\n
We really need a citizen who can untangle law enforcement
\nhere, which has long seen the shackling of the efforts of legal
\nfighters in achieving justice and truth.<\/p>\n
Because of the strategic position of the chief justice, it
\nwould be regrettable if other credible legal figures -- like
\nAbdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, Adnan Buyung Nasution, T. Mulya
\nLubis, Bambang Widjoyanto, Baharuddin Lopa, J.E. Sahetapy, Lobby
\nLoeqman, Benyamin Mangkudilaga and Paulus Lotulung -- were not
\ngiven a fair chance for the job.<\/p>\n
Paulus of the Supreme Court has confirmed that the office
\nwould accept anyone suitable, so the House of Representatives
\nshould immediately amend the law. The House should also draw up
\ntransparent and clear criteria of a chief justice.<\/p>\n
I suggest that part of this criteria should be that:<\/p>\n
* the candidate must announce his wealth in line with Law no.
\n28\/1999 on clean governance -- we would doubt a chief justice's
\ncourage in fighting corruption if he was not clean himself;<\/p>\n
* the candidate should raise a brave and credible concept to
\nspeed up the eradication of collusion, corruption and nepotism,
\nand the settlement of human rights abuses as well as cases of
\nviolence against women.<\/p>\n
* the candidate should submit a concept for the speedy
\nsettlement of the backlog of cases at the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
I hope the House will consider this matter so that the
\nappointment of a new chief justice will be a milestone in law
\nenforcement, and the manifestation of our resolve for
\ntransparency in appointing officials.<\/p>\n
WISDARMANTO G.S.<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/criteria-for-chief-justice-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }