Real actions needed to thwart corruption: Experts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Corruption cases in Indonesia have increased
\nbecause no real action has been taken to handle them, a criminal
\nlaw expert said Monday.<\/p>\n
\"During the reform era, corruption problems tend to escalate
\ninstead of lowering,\" J.E. Sahetapi said in a discussion at the
\nlaunching of the Indonesian Judicial Watch (JWI) at Hotel Mulia.<\/p>\n
The new body, chaired by human rights lawyer Todung Mulya
\nLubis, is supported not only by a number of prominent law
\nexperts, but also by some journalists specializing in legal
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
Sahetapi, who is chairman of the Indonesian Law Commission
\n(KHN), cast doubt over the authorities' determination to combat
\ncorruption as he has seen no real action to fight the crimes.<\/p>\n
He called upon the public to take an active part by monitoring
\nthe actions of Attorney General Marzuki Darusman and National
\nPolice chief Surojo Bimantoro.<\/p>\n
Another speaker, newly appointed justice Artidjo Alkostar,
\nalso expressed his concern over law enforcement problems.<\/p>\n
He stated that the problems couldn't be settled because most
\nlaw enforcement officers still had poor moral integrity.<\/p>\n
\"That is what makes it easy for outsiders to interfere with
\njudicial rulings,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that weak internal controls of judges' behavior is
\nalso a serious problem. \"As a result, judges' uncontrolled
\nbehavior has become a social burden,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At their installation, judges always state their oath, but
\nduring their term, what they do is often the reverse of what they
\nhave earlier stated in their oath, he added.<\/p>\n
He suggested that the improvement should begin with the
\njustices at the Supreme Court, and then be followed by high court
\njudges and district court judges. He was certain that if the
\njudges are clean, other law enforcement officials such as
\nprosecutors, police, and lawyers would be discouraged from
\ninterfering with the judiciary.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Lubis said the corrupted judiciary is one of
\nthe most complex problems facing the country, which has prompted
\nthe establishment of JWI.<\/p>\n
\"JWI is an independent and nonpartisan institute which is
\naimed at thoroughly watching the performance of the Indonesian
\njudicial system, including the State Official Wealth Audit
\nCommission (KPKPN), Joint Team of Corruption Eradication (TGPK),
\nNational Ombudsman Commission and Capital Market Supervisory
\nAgency (Bapepam),\" Todung said.<\/p>\n
Todung announced that within a short time JWI would also open
\noffices in several provincial cities such as Surabaya, Bandung
\nand Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
He said, JWI vowed to reform Indonesian laws, regulations and
\nthe judicial system and perform systematic and intensive
\nevaluations of cases that attract public attention such as
\ncorruption, abuse of authority and crimes against humanity.<\/p>\n
\"JWI will also monitor credibility and integrity of law
\nenforcers in executing their duties and will expose to the public
\nthose who are corrupt,\" he said.<\/p>\n
JWI would put the priority on cases related to the public
\ninterests and those with importance and impact such as former
\nPresident Soeharto's case, Bank Bali scandal, Bulog (National
\nLogistic Agency) scandal and cases handled at the commercial
\ncourts. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/real-actions-needed-to-thwart-corruption-experts-1447893297",
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