I'll do it my way, says new justice minister Lopa

JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa said here on Monday that he would employ his own approach in efforts to reform the judicial system, including measures to achieve greater control over delinquent judges.

"If I may, I want to work in my own fashion, which I consider will be the most effective since we are now racing against time," he told journalists following a hand-over ceremony from his predecessor Yusril Ihza Mahendra in Jakarta.

"There are too many things that must be done to correct the judicial system, and it is not an easy job. But we will not stop trying or working hard."

Lopa, a former director general of correctional facilities, cited unreasonable verdicts handed down by judges, particularly to defendants charged with corruption, as an indication of some judges lacking integrity.

"There can be very striking differences between verdicts. In one region, for example, a defendant charged with corruption involving Rp 100 million in state funds was sentenced to five years in jail, while here in Jakarta, the defendant in multi- billion rupiah case only got two years."

"We cannot let such things continue because we are losing people's trust. We must prioritize efforts to correct the judges' objective integrity ... and it's very difficult," he added.

The 65-year-old Lopa said that he would do anything to supervise the judges. He added that when he was the director general he used to make impromptu visits to the penitentiaries at night.

"Everything is satisfactory in the light of day, but at night you might find that a convict was not in their cell. But (how I will supervise) the judges is still a secret," he said.

Lopa, also a former Indonesian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that he had asked President Abdurrahman Wahid to encourage the ministry to work hand in hand with the Supreme Court in improving the judges' performance.

He argued that, although his office was authorized to train, screen and install the judges, in the performance of their judicial functions they were accountable to the Supreme Court.

Regarding the review of laws, Lopa said that his office would study all of the existing laws and regulations carefully before deciding on what should be revoked, amended or introduced.

"The President has asked me to correct many things, but he underlined two things; controlling judges and the directorate general of immigration," he said. He did not elaborate on concerns regarding the immigration office.

During the ceremony Lopa read out his circulated "Feb. 12 Announcement", copies of which were distributed to all judges as well as the ministry's offices located throughout the country.

"This announcement is to be put in their pockets to remind them of the importance of honesty, moral integrity and discipline.

"So, hopefully there will be no abuse of power, including bribery, which is the root of all crimes in the judicial institutions," he added.

Present at the ceremony were several former justice ministers, including Ismail Saleh, Oetojo Oesman, Mochtar Kusumaatmadja and Muladi. Former attorney general Muhammad Andi Ghalib was also in attendance.

After the ceremony Yusril and his wife were both in tears when Lopa and all the employees waved farewell as they left the building. One staff member recited a poem for Yusril. (bby)