Groups question selection process of justices<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two watchdog organizations criticized the House
\nof Representatives on Thursday for its selection process in
\nshortlisting candidates to fill 20 seats on the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
Commission II of the House, which deals with legal affairs,
\nwas originally scheduled to announce the names of candidates who
\nhad passed the \"fit and proper test\" on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The announcement was deferred to Friday, but sources involved
\nin the selection process disclosed that the Commission had picked
\n17 out of 46 candidates who took the test last week.<\/p>\n
During the test, which was open to the public, candidates were
\nquestioned not only about their vision, but also about their
\nattitudes and personal lives.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Institute for an Independent Judiciary (LeIP),
\npreempting the House's announcement, said only 11 candidates
\nfulfilled the requirements.<\/p>\n
The Joint Working Group on Judicial Appointments (Pokja-PCHA)
\ncame up with 13 names. The group said some names were dropped
\nbecause they were the subject of graft investigations.<\/p>\n
Neither group selected former judge Benjamin Mangkoedilaga or
\nformer justice minister Muladi, considered to be the front-
\nrunners for the post of chief justice to replace Sarwata.<\/p>\n
Benjamin was nominated by President Abdurrahman Wahid while
\nMuladi's nomination was supported by Golkar chairman Akbar
\nTandjung.<\/p>\n
LeIP named three candidates whom it viewed as \"fit and proper\"
\nto serve on the Supreme Court: notary public Abdurrahman Saleh,
\nlawyer Artidjo Alkostar and judge Andi Sjamsu Alam.<\/p>\n
Five others are considered as having just passed the test.<\/p>\n
LeIP researcher Rifqi Sjarief Assegaf said the group based its
\nevaluation mostly on papers presented by the candidates and the
\noral testimony they gave during the fit and proper test.<\/p>\n
The House has resisted making public the resumes of the
\ncandidates or their court records, Rifqi said.<\/p>\n
\"Our assessment was very limited because of the lack of
\nmaterial on which to evaluate them,\" he told journalists at the
\ninstitute's headquarters in the Arva Building, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Rifqi also questioned the competence of the House's working
\ncommittee in conducting the fit and proper test.<\/p>\n
\"Not all of them had knowledge of legal affairs. Some
\ncommittee members were ill-prepared, and their questions were
\nshallow,\" he said. \"We are not sure of the standards used in
\nassessing the candidates' answers, as they were all asked
\ndifferent questions.\"<\/p>\n
Pokja-PCHA faulted the House's lack of transparency in the
\nselection process.<\/p>\n
\"The House may pass candidates who cannot fulfill public
\ndemands for a clean and independent court,\" Irianto Subiakto,
\ncoordinator of the group, told journalists.<\/p>\n
Of 13 names endorsed by the group, seven are career judges.<\/p>\n
Irianto expressed concern that the judges nominated by the
\ngovernment would not be able to act impartially if selected.<\/p>\n
\"For example, can they maintain their independence when they
\nare handling cases concerning government leaders?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
Many candidates who passed the House's test had dubious moral
\nintegrity; some had poor knowledge of legal affairs and
\nprocedures or even about the social and political conditions of
\nthis country, Irianto said.<\/p>\n
\"They will become judges of the court. They have to be aware
\nof this country's condition from all aspects,\" he said. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/groups-question-selection-process-of-justices-1447893297",
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