Judicial Commission Bill: KY Head Proposes Final and Binding Sanctions Decisions for Judges

The Legislation Body (Baleg) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is currently discussing amendments to the Judicial Commission (KY) Law. KY Chairman Abdul Chair Ramadhan has proposed that sanctions imposed by the KY on judges in the future be final and binding.

“In terms of the effectiveness of imposing sanctions. In this regard, there must be a provision for heavy sanctions recommendations, and previously for light and moderate sanctions. All these sanctions must be formulated in the Revision of the KY Law,” said Abdul Chair during a Working Meeting with the Baleg DPR at the Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday (6/4/2026).

Abdul Chair stated that to date, sanctions imposed by the KY are only in the form of recommendations. He wishes for future sanction decisions to be final and binding.

“Currently, the imposition of sanctions from the KY is only in the form of recommendations. And of course, these recommendations are not final and binding. Therefore, the decision must be final and binding, and therefore, if the alleged violation is proven, the imposition of light or moderate sanctions by the KY must be binding,” he said.

He stated that this regulation would strengthen the position of the KY. Nevertheless, Abdul Chair emphasised that the imposition of heavy sanctions on judges would still involve the Honour Council of Judges forum as has been the practice.

“And of course, this will strengthen the position of the KY while there is shared responsibility in the mechanism of checks and balances,” said Abdul.

“As for heavy sanctions specifically, the imposition of heavy sanctions on judges who are proven to have violated will still be carried out jointly through the Honour Council of Judges forum as applicable. And this will be connected with the integrated judge examination forum,” he added.