Choosing the chief justice

Choosing the chief justice

From Rakyat Merdeka

If the President gives his pretext that the chief justice is yet to be chosen from the two candidates offered by the House of Representatives, the demand that an explanation about this matter be given must be addressed directly to the president himself, and not to Megawati. It is the President that is authorized to decide which of the candidates will assume the position of chief justice. Why must Megawati make an explanation about this matter to other people? If it is said that the hurdle in this matter is that Megawati disapproves of the two candidates, then it is the President that must make an explanation on this matter.

The stance of Megawati as general chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is implied in the decision made by the PDI Perjuangan faction to walk out of a plenary session of the House the other day. It is not Megawati's business to interfere in the messy election of the chief justice. If the President, for example, agrees with the DPR on the candidates for chief justice, then Megawati can do nothing.

I believe there is an ulterior motive behind the demand that Megawati expresses her opinion about this matter. Therefore, she must turn a deaf ear to such a demand. Megawati may have told the President what she thinks about this matter and this is not to be publicized.

Megawati is wise when deciding not to give much comment on the president's policies and habits. In this way, she prevents misinterpretation of her statements. Such misinterpretation may be geared towards the political interests of certain quarters. Everybody who knows Megawati must know that she always upholds the constitution. She will leave every problem to be dealt with by a proper legal procedure and however bitter the outcome may be she will accept it. So, if Muladi, one of the two candidates for the chief justice, has asked Megawati to say something outside the prevailing procedure, this request need not be responded to.

MAKMOER MOECHSIN

Jakarta