Public, lawyers asked not to 'distract' judges<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A judge has called on people, particularly lawyers, to leave
\njudges alone when they are making decisions in legal cases and to
\nstop distracting them with bribes, in a bid to produce fair
\nverdicts.<\/p>\n
Andi Samsan Nganro, head of the Cibinong District Court, said
\nduring a discussion here on Monday, that judges and court clerks
\nwere prone to exploit their power, leading to the development of
\n"court mafias".<\/p>\n
"Strong support from the people to insist on fair trails is a
\nmust. People, including lawyers, are expected not to try and lure
\njudges and court clerks with bribes in order to win their cases.
\nLet judges make their legal arguments fairly," he said.<\/p>\n
Andi, who was formerly a spokesman with the Central Jakarta
\nDistrict Court, explained that bribes from people only disrupted
\nthe judicial system.<\/p>\n
He admitted that many people may well be asked for money by
\ncourt officials and judges in order to obtain favorable verdicts.<\/p>\n
Andi urged non-governmental organizations and the media to
\nkeep a watchful eye on the courts as this may help judges to
\n"resist temptation."<\/p>\n
Legal observer Bambang Widjajanto said that Andi is a judge
\nwith a good reputation who has the courage to issue rulings that
\nmeets the public's sense of justice, even it runs against
\ngovernment policies.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jakarta Legal Aid Institute Director, Uli Parulian
\nSihombing, said Indonesian advocates did not have the commitment
\nto take a stance against bribing judges and court officials.<\/p>\n
"Advocate organizations have done very little on this issue so
\nfar. Of course, a few of them have attempted to join the movement
\nfor judicial reform, but they have never declared their position
\nagainst bribery of judges or court officials," he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Bambang suggested the establishment of a network
\nconsisting of clean judges, court officials, prosecutors,
\ninvestigators and advocates, in a bid to limit the space of court
\nmafias.<\/p>\n
"I believe that we have some clean and reputable law enforcers
\nand advocates. We need to support them in setting up a clean and
\nfair system. It's far better than just blaming them," he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) has issued a report
\noutlining the existence of court mafias across the nation. It
\nrevealed that corruption within the country's judiciary was
\nglaring and well-organized, involving all players within the
\nlegal system.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-lawyers-asked-not-to-distract-judges-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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