Officials not trying to influence judicial system<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Government and military leaders did not try to
\nundermine the judicial system's independence when they offered
\ntheir ideas and advice at a recent gathering of justices, a
\nformer respected justice said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Bismar Siregar said that the meeting discussed national
\nstability, something which he said not all justices were well-
\ninformed about.<\/p>\n
Giving their directives to the justices were, among others,
\nArmed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Home Affairs
\nYogie S.M. and Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Soesilo Soedarman.<\/p>\n
Bismar said that the critics who accused the officials of
\nattempting to undermine the judicial system's independence were
\nimposing \"western standards\" on an Indonesian system.<\/p>\n
\"I am very concerned about these attitudes,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post after addressing a one-day seminar on the Islamic
\ncommunity's readiness for globalization.<\/p>\n
Expressing dismay over the presence of government and military
\nfigures at the justices' national workshop in Yogyakarta was
\nwell-known lawyer T. Mulya Lubis.<\/p>\n
Lubis, who is also a prominent human rights campaigner, told
\nthe Kompas daily that the officials' involvement underlined the
\npublic's doubts about the independence of its judicial system.<\/p>\n
The critics should have thanked Feisal for providing the
\njustices with his insight and knowledge about stability, Bismar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Bismar added that he shared Feisal's opinion that justices
\nwould contribute more to national stability if they did their
\njobs properly and maintained their independence.<\/p>\n
\"I doubt that all justices have a sound knowledge about
\naspects of national stability,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He argued that by understanding the concept of national
\nstability, justices would be able to handle cases based on a
\nwider perspective, which would help them make impartial
\ndecisions.<\/p>\n
Citing an example, Bismar said that if all law enforcers
\nunderstood the menace of Ecstasy, they would hand down heavier
\nsentences in drug-related cases.<\/p>\n
\"At present, people found guilty of trafficking Ecstasy get
\nbetween eight months and three years in jail. Why don't justices
\npunish the violators with death?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
Bismar said that Feisal's talk during the gathering was within
\nhis field of competence.<\/p>\n
\"Is it wrong if the Armed Forces chief discusses the
\nimportance of national stability? I don't think so. I would
\nappreciate that,\" said Bismar.<\/p>\n
However, Bismar recognized that law enforcement in Indonesia
\nneeds to be improved. But he added that improving the welfare of
\njudges as many have suggested would not automatically improve
\ntheir performance.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is for them to have faith,\" he said.
\n\"Traditionally, Indonesians see their leaders as role models.\"
\n(03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/officials-not-trying-to-influence-judicial-system-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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