Judicial body candidates facing final tests

Judicial body candidates facing final tests

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has shortlisted 14 potential
candidates for the seven seats on the judicial commission, the
powerful new body which is intended to oversee the courts.

The members, which include three former judges, four
academics, an activist and a bevy of lawyers, will soon come
under the House of Representatives' scrutiny.

Abdulgani Abdullah, who led the team selecting the candidates,
said after a meeting with the President on Tuesday, that Susilo
as the head of state would submit the list of candidates to the
House on Wednesday.

The House will pick seven of the candidates to sit on the
commission, whose powers will include supervising the courts and
selecting Supreme Court and chief justices.

"The President has approved the candidates and will pass on
them to the House," Abdulgani said.

Critics have questioned the integrity and experience of some
of the candidates, who had passed a series of tests that included
essay writing. They were selected from around 300 initial
applicants.

The selection team consisted of 22 members, who worked between
February and April this year.

The President will have to install the Judicial Commission
members by June 13, in accordance with Law No. 22/2004 on the
judicial commission.

Three elections caused a delay to the establishment of the
commission last year.

According to the law, the commission will improve impartiality
and professionalism on the part of the courts, which activists
say are riddled with corruption from top to bottom.

Judicial commission member candidates

Name Profession

Benyamin Mangkudilaga former judge

Zainal Arifin former judge

Margana former judge

M. Tahir Seimima legal practitioner

Irawady Joenus legal practitioner

Johny N. Simanjuntak legal practitioner

Iryanto Subiakto legal practitioner

Jeldi Ramadan legal practitioner

Prof. Chatamarrasjidi academic

Moh. Busro Muqoddas academic

Prof. Mustafa Abdullah academic

Prof. H. Ahmad Sutarmadi academic

Sukma Violetta legal aid activist

Soekotjo Soeparto former member of State Officials

Wealth Audit Commission