Judges forced to live away from official residences

The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh

The Lhokseumawe District Court judges have their own, unique way of life. None of them live in the official residences provided by the government since these are located in the Bukit Rata area where gunfights and clashes are common.

Arifin and the court's chief clerk, Sofyan P, are now living in the Fina Vira Hotel located near the courthouse. The Military Police Headquarters and the Lilawangsa Military Resort Command base are located opposite the hotel.

"Since I am not staying in the official residence, the government is not footing my hotel bill. I'm paid a salary of Rp 3.4 million a month, without perks or benefits. The hotel's daily rate is Rp 125,000. I have been staying at the hotel for two months and I've had to foot the bill out of my own pocket," said Arifin, who has served as a judge in Medan, Sabang, Bone and Ambon.

"I'm not given any perks or benefits since my grade is only 4B. One has to be a grade 4A to receive the benefits. However, no 4A judge dares to come to this strife-torn area. Only I was foolish enough to take up this job."

Despite all the bombings, Arifin said he had made up his mind to stay."

"If not, who will run the court? All of the non-Acehnese judges have fled due to the conflict and for security reasons," the 42-year-old father of three said, adding that a Javanese judge went missing without a trace after being kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the Tapak Tuan area of South Aceh in 1999.

Rachmawati has been living in a rented room in Lhokseumawe since her appointment as a judge this July. Her husband and children are currently living in Banda Aceh.

"It's my duty. I was formerly a court clerk before being appointed to this position," Rachmawati added.