Justice ministry to change name

JAKARTA: The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is considering a title change following the transfer of the Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Legislation to the Supreme Court.

"I don't think it is still appropriate for us to claim ourselves as Departemen Kehakiman dan Hak Asasi Manusia (Ministry of Justice and Human Rights) as we no longer handle any affairs involving judges," Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Monday.

Yusril said his ministry should be called Departemen Yustisia (Ministry of Justice), adding that it was currently drafting the bill of the change to the name. He said he hoped the House of Representatives would complete the bill's deliberation this year.

The ministry was called Departemen Kehakiman (judicial affairs) during the New Order, and was changed to Departmen Hukum dan Perundang-undangan (Ministry of Law and Legislation) under the tenure of Abdurrahman Wahid between 1999 and 2001. -- JP