Akbar's acquittal spurs call for control of court

Akbar's acquittal spurs call for control of court

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While the release of Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung from
corruption charges will soon become a past issue, the country
badly needs a judicial commission to ensure the rule of law and a
sense of justice, a former Supreme Court judge says.

Benyamin Mangkoedilaga suggested that the House of
Representatives immediately endorse the bill on a judicial
commission to enable an independent party to exercise control of
the courts, including the Supreme Court.

"The country acknowledges the Supreme Court as the ultimate
destination for people seeking justice, but sadly no institution
can examine whether or not the Court properly implements the
law," said Benyamin, who is known for his courage in issuing a
verdict in 1994 that annulled the government's ban on Tempo
magazine.

Benyamin said the commission would have the authority to
examine a court's decisions, including the Supreme Court, as well
as to question judges who issued controversial verdicts.

"The presence of a judicial commission is badly needed now,"
he said.

The Supreme Court acquitted Akbar from all charges on
Thursday, canceling the lower courts' decision to sentence Akbar
to three years in prison for corruption involving Rp 40 billion
(US$4.8 million) of State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds.

"The verdict should fulfill academic requirements by
incorporating various opinions from legal experts. It has
offended people's sense of justice."

Despite skepticism that Akbar's acquittal would set a
precedence in difficulties in putting corrupt officials behind
bars, Benyamin expressed optimism that the public could play a
pivotal role in legal reform.

He said if the verdict fulfilled people's sense of justice,
Akbar would lead Golkar to victory in the general election and
win the first direct presidential election.

"We cannot say that the country's judicial system is free from
political interference. Akbar's case is a good example. Now,
people are the only hope to determine the future of legal
reform," Benyamin said.

"If the verdict violates people's sense of justice, neither
the Golkar Party nor Akbar will win the elections."

Golkar looks certain to nominate Akbar as its presidential
candidate following the Supreme Court's verdict.

Another former justice Bismar Siregar said the President and
the Vice President, in their capacity as the heads of state, had
the authority to oversee the performance of courts in upholding
the law.

"I admit that the country only has corrupt people to combat
corruption, but we should not give up. We have to keep on
fighting until the arrival of leaders who have integrity," Bismar
said.