Judges for corruption cases

Judges for corruption cases

From Media Indonesia

Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan's statement that it is
difficult to recruit ad hoc judges for the trial of corruption
cases from a variety of professions and disciplines of science is
understandable.

When this difficulty arises, the Supreme Court and the
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights should seek the personnel
internally, by recruiting career judges that have a strong record
and a sound knowledge of economics or business law gained from
master's or doctorate studies at home or abroad. These judges
should of course have strong morals, integrity, a clean record
and be honest, publicly respected, professional, and committed to
the eradication of corruption.

Why haven't we ever optimized the capacity of available
personnel? In my view, despite the use of ad hoc tribunals and a
good law, as long as law enforcement fails to play its role
properly, the efforts of the courts and the law will be in vain.
The creation of ad hoc panels of judges in corruption trials does
not guarantee fair decisions for all parties concerned. Justice
comes down to the personality, morality, loyalty and integrity of
the relevant (career/non-career) judges, and the legal factors,
evidence and laws in place.

BINSAR GULTOM
Jakarta