Consolidation first, says new Chief Justice

JAKARTA (JP): New Chief Justice Sarwata took office yesterday promising to consolidate the Supreme Court which has been beset by internal dissent and a huge backlog of litigation cases.

Sarwata made it clear that the consolidation move would involve all fellow justices, including Adi Andojo whom former Chief Justice Soerjono considered an enfant terrible.

"I would like to underline that the first thing I will do is consolidate, and I will not go it alone," Sarwata said after taking his oath of office in the presence of President Soeharto and other senior government officials at the State Palace.

"We will consult all the justices," he said.

When asked whether Justice Adi would be involved in the consolidation effort, Sarwata said: "He is (still) one of the leaders of the Supreme Court."

Justice Adi, deputy chief for criminal cases, has been fighting to clean up the Supreme Court's image, amidst allegations of corruption.

His lone crusade became public knowledge in April when a confidential letter he sent to the then chief justice, demanding an investigation into the possible irregularities of a case, found its way to the press.

Justice Adi was subsequently reprimanded, and Soerjono petitioned President Soeharto to remove him from the Supreme Court for insubordination. The request is still pending.

Soerjono turned 65 yesterday and was retired. Adi will reach mandatory retirement age next April.

Sarwata, 61, who hails from North Sumatra, joined the Supreme Court in 1990. He has served as deputy for military tribunals since 1993.

A 1962 graduate of Gadjah Mada University's School of Law, he has spent most of his legal career in military courts. He retired as a commodore from the Air Force.

When reporters asked him about his plans for the court, he said: "Give me time. But I promise it will be as soon as possible."

He said he would base his leadership on musyawarah (consmnsus) with other Supreme Court members, particularly with the deputy chiefs.

"I make no promises, but in discharging our duty, we will do our best and we will act as fairly as we can. We will strive to be honest in establishing law and justice," he said.

At the same ceremony, T.H. Ketut Suraputra took his oath of office as new vice chief justice, replacing M. Djaelani who retired last month.

Suraputra, 61 from Bali, has served in the Supreme Court since 1982. His former position was deputy chief for the state administrative court.

Sarwata and Suraputra were appointed by presidential decrees on the recommendation of the House of Representatives.

Suraputra said after the short ceremony that the Supreme Court was open to suggestions on reducing the backlog of cases awaiting the court.

Soerjono said early this week that 14,000 cases are now still pending in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court now needs to appoint two new deputies to fill Suraputra and Sarwata's old seats.

The court is also waiting for 10 new justices to be appointed to replace those who reach mandatory retirement age this year.

In the oath taking ceremony, Sarwata read his oath as a Moslem while Suraputra read his as a Hindu.

Also present were Vice President Try Sutrisno, House Speaker Wahono the chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency J.B. Sumarlin and members of the cabinet. (emb)