Jimly: Judicial Independence is Crucial for Indonesia's Rule of Law Democracy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The first Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Prof. Jimly Asshiddiqie, reminded all judges, particularly constitutional judges, of the importance of judicial independence in safeguarding Indonesia’s rule of law democracy.
Jimly, who was supposed to be undergoing hospital treatment for heart problems, still attended to deliver this message at the launch of a Constitutional Court book titled ‘Judicial Independence’ to coincide with his 70th birthday.
‘Judicial independence is the key phrase in facing political dynamics, especially now when no party balances them, all parties are in coalitions that are almost complete. Thus, truth is only decided between majority justice. Whoever has the most determines it,’ Jimly said in Jakarta on Friday.
The constitutional law expert explained that the judiciary, as the third pillar of power, must nurture its independence and pass it on to the next generation.
The system of Constitutional Court judges’ tenure, changed from five years to an age limit of 70 years, is one solution to maintaining judicial independence and nurturing the rule of law in the country.
‘At the end of my term, I criticised the method of selecting candidates for Supreme Court justices. I said, this is selected by, not selected from. So if the DPR selects three people, they are not from the DPR, but perceived as representatives of the DPR, representatives of the Supreme Court, representatives of presidential interests, not like that!’ he emphasised.
The President, DPR, and Supreme Court are only the selectors with a mechanism that is regulated. This selection method is to ensure that the Constitutional Court is in the middle, although in practice it is still misinterpreted to this day.
Therefore, the Head of the Police Reform Acceleration Team reminded Constitutional Court judges selected by the Supreme Court, DPR, and president to simply express gratitude once to those parties, not repeatedly to the point where their independence is questioned.
‘Just thank you once. Those from the DPR, also from the Supreme Court, and those proposed by the president. Thanks are necessary, but please just once, not continuously nurtured,’ he said.
According to him, with the Constitutional Court judges’ tenure up to age 70, there is no longer a need for new recruitment.
Before going to the Constitutional Court, Jimly attended a book launch at the Honorary Council for Election Organisers (DKPP), until he was finally rushed to hospital. The doctor stated that he needed treatment, but the man from Palembang felt guilty if he did not come to the Constitutional Court.
Accompanied by a medical team and family, Jimly arrived at the Constitutional Court Building Hall although almost 1.5 hours late from the schedule.
Jimly admitted there was a problem with his heart ring, which has already had six rings installed. And he asked for prayers from the public for his recovery.
Even though he was ill, Jimly felt it was his duty to attend and convey the importance of Judicial Independence as outlined in the book launched on his 70th birthday.