Criteria for chief justice

I fully agree with Faisal Baasir's criticism of the United Development Party (PPP) concerning President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's supporters, who always try to justify his ideas, including his wish to appoint Benyamin Mangkoedilaga as the new chief justice to replace Sarwata.

The pro and con groups have each stated their arguments, which essentially concern Law No. 14/1995 which states that a chief justice must be from within the Supreme Court, which Benyamin is not; past experiences in which a judge from outside can be made chief justice; and statements that the justices of the court are already infested with collusion, corruption and nepotism.

Because the chief justice, the judges and their subordinates are in the front line of law enforcement, it is only fitting that we are cautious in determining the person for the job.

We really need a citizen who can untangle law enforcement here, which has long seen the shackling of the efforts of legal fighters in achieving justice and truth.

Because of the strategic position of the chief justice, it would be regrettable if other credible legal figures -- like Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, Adnan Buyung Nasution, T. Mulya Lubis, Bambang Widjoyanto, Baharuddin Lopa, J.E. Sahetapy, Lobby Loeqman, Benyamin Mangkudilaga and Paulus Lotulung -- were not given a fair chance for the job.

Paulus of the Supreme Court has confirmed that the office would accept anyone suitable, so the House of Representatives should immediately amend the law. The House should also draw up transparent and clear criteria of a chief justice.

I suggest that part of this criteria should be that:

* the candidate must announce his wealth in line with Law no. 28/1999 on clean governance -- we would doubt a chief justice's courage in fighting corruption if he was not clean himself;

* the candidate should raise a brave and credible concept to speed up the eradication of collusion, corruption and nepotism, and the settlement of human rights abuses as well as cases of violence against women.

* the candidate should submit a concept for the speedy settlement of the backlog of cases at the Supreme Court.

I hope the House will consider this matter so that the appointment of a new chief justice will be a milestone in law enforcement, and the manifestation of our resolve for transparency in appointing officials.

WISDARMANTO G.S.

Jakarta