Makassar High Court Judge Dismissed for Accepting Rp1 Billion Bribe
Judge YM of Makassar High Court has been dishonourably dismissed after being found guilty of accepting a Rp1 billion bribe to secure a cassation case and a Rp90 million loan that was not repaid. The decision was made during a hearing by the Judicial Ethics Council (MKH) convened by the Supreme Court (MA) and Judicial Commission (KY) on May 25.
‘The defendant was found guilty of violating the Joint Regulation No. 02/PB/MA/IX/2012-02/PB/P.KY/09/2012 on the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Judges, classified as a serious breach. Therefore, a severe penalty of dishonourable dismissal was imposed,’ said MKH Presiding Judge Yanto at the Supreme Court building on Monday, according to the KY website.
The transaction began during a March 2024 meeting between YM and the complainant, where YM promised to secure the case at the Supreme Court. However, after six transfers totaling Rp1 billion and a loan of Rp90 million, the complainant discovered YM had never handled the case. This was confirmed as the case registration number and panel of judges listed on the MA’s Case Tracking System (SIPP) did not match YM’s claims.
Consequently, the complainant filed reports with Makassar High Court, Makassar Police, MA’s Oversight Agency (Bawas), and the Judicial Commission. During the ethics hearing, the MKH questioned YM about his efforts to handle the case, to which he admitted doing nothing. YM, previously a judge at Sengkang District Court, reportedly travelled to Jakarta solely to reassure the complainant but never went to the Supreme Court.
‘Before the panel, YM admitted he was incapable of handling the cassation case. He had promised to handle it due to urgent financial needs,’ said Yanto.
The hearing revealed YM admitted receiving Rp720 million, which he used to cover his mother’s pilgrimage business losses after 60 pilgrims were stranded abroad due to a ticket agent’s fraud. The remaining funds were used for personal issues and online gambling. As a judge, he admitted his actions undermined judicial integrity and the court’s dignity.
YM also stated there had been good faith efforts to return the money to the complainant via a mediator, though not yet fully repaid. Meanwhile, the Rp90 million loan was repaid by YM’s mother in cash and via asset certificates. These factors did not mitigate the panel’s decision.
The MKH detailed that based on evidence and facts, there were no mitigating circumstances for YM, and no new facts to overturn the MA Oversight Agency’s findings. ‘The MA Oversight Agency’s sanction recommendation should be upheld. The defendant was proven to have violated Article C2 of the Judicial Ethics Code regarding honest conduct, and Article C7 on upholding dignity,’ Yanto concluded.
The MKH comprised KY Vice-Chair Desmihardi and members Abhan, Setyawan, and Anita Kadir, while the MA was represented by Justices Yanto, Jupriyadi, and Agus Subroto.