Judicial Commission (KY) monitors ABK sentencing in Batam to ensure it runs in line with the code of ethics

“In principle, KY’s task is to safeguard and uphold the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Judicial Behaviour (KEPPH), so KY is not, in principle, involved in the substance of cases, as that falls within the judiciary’s remit,” Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Judicial Commission (KY) monitored the verdict-reading hearing of Fandi Ramadhan, a seafarer (ABK) accused of smuggling 2 tonnes of sabu, at Batam District Court, Riau Islands, to ensure the proceedings complied with the code of ethics. KY’s Chief of the Judges’ Oversight and Investigation Division RI Abhan, after observing the session on Thursday, said KY’s tasks are not to intervene in a judge’s decision. “In principle, KY’s task is to safeguard and uphold the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Judicial Behaviour (KEPPH), so KY is not in a position to delve into the substance of cases because that is a matter for the judiciary,” he said, as quoted in a written statement received in Jakarta. He explained KY’s attention to this matter comes amid public attention after the prosecution sought the defendant’s death penalty. “We are entering the domain of whether there are allegations of ethical violations by the judges,” Abhan emphasised. From the monitoring results, KY assessed the proceedings were still operating in accordance with the applicable procedural law. Nonetheless, KY may scrutinise further any allegations of ethical breaches by the judges if there are reports from the public. “As of today there have been no reports from the public or from the parties regarding alleged KEPPH violations. However, if later there are public reports, we will study and analyse further whether the complaint or report is proven or not,” he said. During the hearings, the Batam District Court panel sentenced Fandi Ramadhan to five years in prison in the narcotics smuggling case involving almost 2 tonnes of sabu. “Sentencing the defendant to five years of imprisonment,” said Chief Panel Judge Tiwik, reading the verdict at Batam, Riau Islands, on Thursday. The panel found ABK Sea Dragon Terawa guilty of conspiring in the sale and purchase of Class 1 narcotics not derived from plants weighing more than 5 grams. The panel’s verdict was lighter than the prosecutors’ demand for the death penalty for six defendants in this case, including Fandi Ramadhan. Fandi and his counsel exercised their right to seven days of reflection, as did the prosecutors.”