Bizarre Data Revealed by Judicial Commission Regarding Judges Violating Ethics
The Judicial Commission (KY) has received 1,402 reports of alleged ethical violations by judges throughout 2026, marking a sharp increase from the previous year. A total of 121 judges have been sanctioned after being proven to have violated the Code of Ethics and Judicial Conduct Guidelines (KEPPH).
During a press conference at the KY building in Central Jakarta on Thursday (30/07/2026), the KY disclosed the high volume of public reports regarding alleged breaches of judicial ethics up to June 2026. The Vice Chairman of the Judicial Commission, Desmihardi, stated that the commission received 1,402 public reports in the first semester of 2026.
The KY views the high number of reports as a sign of increased public attention and expectation, while also indicating that alleged ethical violations remain prevalent. Of the reports submitted, 676 (87.37%) were accepted by the KY, while the remainder are still undergoing verification. Currently, 88 reports have been registered, and as of June 2026, the KY has summoned 84 judges accused of ethical violations for clarification.
Judicial Ethical Violations Increase by 100% in 2026
The Judicial Commission revealed an upward trend in violations of the Code of Ethics and Judicial Conduct Guidelines this year. The number of judges proven to have violated the code has increased by 100% compared to last year. Abhan, the Head of the Judicial Supervision and Investigation Division of the KY, noted that the increase in recommended sanctions is significant; while there were only 49 recommendations in the same period in 2025, that number rose to 121 in 2026.
Abhan detailed that 121 judges were proven to have violated the code of ethics up to mid-2026, with 9 judges proposed for dishonourable dismissal. The breakdown of sanctions includes 86 judges proposed for light sanctions, 14 for medium sanctions, 17 for heavy sanctions, and 4 receiving warnings. Light sanctions include verbal reprimands, written reprimands, and written statements of dissatisfaction. Heavy sanctions include removal from office for 2 judges, non-permanent assignment (non-palu) for 2 judges for a period of 6 months to 2 years, and demotion for 3 judges. Furthermore, 1 judge was subject to permanent dismissal with pension rights, and 9 judges were proposed for dishonourable dismissal.
Additionally, 94 judges were found to have violated procedural law, including issues such as case administration, manipulation of verdicts, errors in evidence assessment, and violations of impartiality.
Trends in Judicial Violations: From Bribery to Adultery
The KY noted that bribery, adultery, and online gambling remain prevalent trends among judicial misconduct. The commission revealed that 7 judges engaged in personal misconduct, including adultery, unregistered marriages (nikah siri), extramarital affairs, and sexual harassment against women. Two judges violated integrity and abused their positions through dual roles or failure to report wealth (LHKPN), and one judge was involved in online gambling.
Furthermore, 8 judges have been brought before the Judicial Honour Council (MKH), with the KY and the Supreme Court (MA) conducting seven MKH sessions in the first semester of 2026. Notable cases include the dismissal of a judge from PN Kraksaan for neglecting his family, and the dismissal of a judge from PN Sengkang for bribery. Other cases involved judges facing sanctions for adultery and physical abuse of children.