Chair of Judicial Commission Highlights Importance of Judicial Independence for Good Governance
The Chairman of the Judicial Commission (KY), Abdul Chair Rampendan, has addressed the issue of judicial independence. He stated that judicial independence must always be accompanied by accountability, as no power is absolute without responsibility.
This was conveyed by Abdul during a public lecture at Hasanuddin University, Makassar. According to him, independence and accountability are two sides of the same coin.
“The principle of independence must be accompanied by accountability as a form of responsibility. There is no unlimited power. Freedom and independence are always bound by accountability,” said Abdul Chair Ramadhan in his statement on Wednesday (30/09/2026).
Abdul explained that judicial independence is also linked to public trust. In his view, an independent judiciary can support the realisation of good governance.
He emphasised that the existence of the KY is not merely a supplement to state institutions. The KY plays a role in maintaining the moral integrity of judges and ensuring that ethical supervision is strictly enforced.
“In relation to the position of the Judicial Commission, its existence is not merely an institutional ornament, but is designed as a guarantor of moral integrity, freedom in judicial decision-making, and strict ethical supervision so that the judiciary is avoided from political interference or economic pressure,” he said.
He noted that law enforcement based on ethics produces decisions that are not only legally valid but also morally legitimate. Without judicial independence, there would be a decline in accountability, transparency, and government effectiveness.
“The implementation of the rule of law based on ethics will result in law enforcement that is not only formally legal but also morally legitimate,” he said.
Abdul added that the KY, as an ethical enforcement body, is necessary to ensure that law and justice can function. This independence encompasses both the independence of the judicial institution and the independence of individual judges.
He explained that judicial independence is not a privilege granted to judges. Rather, it is an inherent right of judges to ensure that the public receives a free and impartial judicial process.
“The independence of judges is not a privilege or a special right for judges, but is an indispensable or inherent right of judges in order to guarantee the fulfilment of the human rights of citizens to obtain a free and impartial trial,” he stated.
In his view, judicial independence cannot be achieved through formal means alone, but must be applied in two dimensions: institutional independence and the personal independence of judges.
Furthermore, Abdul Chair noted that judicial independence is closely linked to good governance. Good governance is characterised by openness, accountability, public participation, institutional effectiveness, and the rule of law.
“These five indicators cannot function without a judicial system that is independent, impartial, and trustworthy,” he said.
He assessed that the relationship between judicial independence and good governance is not limited to the judicial institution. He believes the quality of judicial independence also affects the quality of the government as a whole.
“Judicial independence is not just a matter of the judiciary, but also corresponds to the quality of the government itself,” he said.
Therefore, he assessed that the role of the KY remains important in maintaining judicial independence while ensuring that judicial power operates with integrity.
“The role of the Judicial Commission is thus relevant and significant in the effort to realise judicial independence. Judicial independence has a very close and fundamental relationship with the effort to achieve good governance,” he added.