Collusion at the Supreme Court?

The issue of possible collusion in the Supreme Court has come to the public's attention through a main report of the magazine Forum Keadilan (Forum for Justice).

The report mentions a letter allegedly sent by the Supreme Court's Deputy Chairman overseeing the institution's General Criminal Law Department. The letter reportedly contains a suggestion that the Central Jakarta prosecutor's office order a re-examination of a certain case for reasons of collusion involving a defendant, Ram Gulumal alias V. Ram, who was exonerated by the Supreme Court.

While we adhere to the principle of the presumption of innocence we believe that any collusion involving the Supreme Court must be considered much more serious than similar cases in ordinary courts. Why? Because the Supreme Court is the final bulwark of justice for those who seek it. If this institution, too, is contaminated then the situation really gives reason for concern.

Despite the fact that collusion has become a household word in our daily lives, and although it has come to affect all aspects of life, collusion within the Supreme Court would be most distressing. So a transparent explanation should be given.

We agree with those who believe that the disclosure of the collusion issue reflects the wish to establish a law system that is just and independent. The issues involved affect us not only for the moment, but for a long time to come.

-- Kompas, Jakarta