Independent judicial branch needed: Muladi

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice Muladi said the judicial branch could build a respected and effective legal system only if it was free from intervention from the executive and legislative branches.

"Efforts to uphold the system cannot succeed by wiping away corruption and collusion alone. It also has to be free from intervention," said Muladi at Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java.

Muladi, sworn in as minister last week, urged the elite to respect judicial independence and not meddle in legal decisions.

Such intervention is a direct infringement of human rights, he said.

"Whoever it is, whether it's the executive or legislative branches, I implore you not to violate these human rights," he asserted.

Muladi was quoted by Antara on Saturday as saying that the independence of a judge to make a decision free from political duress is protected by the constitution.

He also urged judges to maintain their integrity, assuring them positive evaluations if they did.

He pointed to Yogyakarta's Bantul District Court judge Endang Sri Murwati who handed down a decision last year to free Dwi Sumadji after it was found that there was insufficient evidence to sentence him for the murder of Bernas journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin.

Muladi said Endang's good performance record prompted the ministry to promote her to the head of the Central Jakarta District Court.

"We will provide some sort of incentive for judges, either through promotions or something else, who truly maintain high professional integrity," Muladi said.

He said he would initiate dialogs with the legal community to tackle problems in the system, including what has been called the "court mafia".

Muladi said he was personally disinclined to use the term "court mafia" since infractions had yet to become too severe.

Seer

Several leading Islamic religious leaders have objected to a remark by Muladi that he would employ a soothsayer to catch the notorious Eddy Tansil.

After his appointment last week, Muladi said he would employ all means available, including a paranormal if necessary, to catch the Rp 1.3 trillion swindler who escaped from prison.

Berita Buana reported yesterday that Muladi's remark created a stir in the religious community, which considered his statement as going against Islamic teachings.

Ali Yafie of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, said Islam does not recognize paranormals and thus regretted that a minister would say he would resort to using one for official purposes.

Attaillah Hamidi of the Indonesian Propogation Council also said that Islam does not condone or recognize the use of soothsayers.

Islam emphasizes prayers and hard work, he said. (mds)