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