Makassar High Court Judge Dismissed for Gambling and Bribery
The Judicial Ethics Council (MKH) has imposed a dismissal without honour on Judge YM of the Makassar High Court for accepting bribes to handle a cassation case at the Supreme Court. The ruling was announced during a joint hearing by the Supreme Court and Judicial Commission in Jakarta.
MKH presiding judge Yanto stated YM had committed serious violations of the judicial ethics code and conduct guidelines. “The defendant was found guilty of breaching the Joint Regulation of the Supreme Court and Judicial Commission No. 02/PB/MA/IX/2012-02/PB/P.KY/09/2012, classified as a serious offence. Therefore, the severe penalty of dismissal without honour has been imposed,” Yanto said on Wednesday (27 May).
During the trial, it emerged that the bribery began with a meeting between YM and the complainant in March 2024. YM promised to secure a victory in the cassation case, prompting the complainant to send six instalments totalling Rp1 billion and a Rp90 million loan in YM’s name. However, the complainant later discovered YM had not handled the case, as the case registration and judge panel details in the Supreme Court’s Case Tracking System (SIPP) did not match his claims.
The complainant filed reports with the Makassar High Court, Makassar Police, the Supreme Court’s Supervisory Body, and the Judicial Commission. YM admitted to taking no action on the case and only visiting Jakarta to reassure the complainant. He confirmed receiving Rp720 million, part of which was used to cover losses in his mother’s umrah travel business after pilgrims were stranded due to a ticket agent’s fraud. The remainder was spent on personal expenses, including online gambling, which YM acknowledged tarnished the judiciary’s reputation.
YM stated efforts were made to return funds through a facilitator and pledged to repay the remainder in instalments. His mother had already repaid the Rp90 million loan in cash and asset certificates. The MKH found no mitigating factors and upheld the Supreme Court Supervisory Body’s recommendation, citing breaches of ethical codes on honesty and dignity.
The hearing was attended by KY Deputy Chair Desmihardi and members Abhan, Setyawan, and Anita Kadir, along with Supreme Court Justices Jupriyadi and Agus Subroto.