KY Tests Integrity of 19 Supreme Court Candidates Through Open Interviews

The Judicial Commission (KY) has stated that integrity and independence are the main aspects in determining the graduation of prospective Supreme Court justices. This affirmation was made as the open interview stage began for 19 candidates for the Supreme Court and two candidates each for ad hoc human rights and ad hoc corruption judges at the Supreme Court, taking place from 4 to 7 August 2026. KY Chairman Abdul Chair Ramadhan said the open interviews are not only a forum to test the candidates’ legal abilities but also to ensure they possess the character and integrity required for judges at the highest judicial institution. “The open interviews aim not only to test the intellectual capacity, experience, and competence of the candidates, but also to explore their integrity, independence, leadership, commitment to law enforcement, and sensitivity to the values of justice living in society,” he said in an official statement on Tuesday. The interviews are being held at the KY Auditorium and broadcast live on the KY’s YouTube channel. During the selection process, the candidates are tested by seven KY Commissioners along with several guest panellists with expertise in their respective fields. On the first day, the guest panellists included Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for Judicial Affairs, Suharto, who tested candidates in the criminal chamber, and Wahiduddin Adams as a panellist for statesmanship. Abdul Chair explained that the interview results will be one of the considerations for the Judicial Commission in determining which candidates pass, while still taking into account all results from previous selection stages. The names of those who pass will subsequently be proposed to the House of Representatives for a fit and proper test before being appointed by the President. He expressed hope that the selection process would produce judges who not only have professional capacity but are also able to safeguard the dignity of the judiciary. “The KY hopes that the candidates who pass and are proposed to the DPR are the best candidates with integrity and professionalism, capable of producing fair rulings and providing direction for the development of national law as well as strengthening public trust in the judiciary,” he said. This selection is being conducted to meet the Supreme Court’s request to fill 11 vacant justice positions. The formation consists of two civil chamber justices, four criminal chamber justices, two religious chamber justices, three state administrative chamber justices specialising in tax, two ad hoc human rights justices, and one ad hoc corruption justice at the Supreme Court.