Officials not trying to influence judicial system

JAKARTA (JP): Government and military leaders did not try to undermine the judicial system's independence when they offered their ideas and advice at a recent gathering of justices, a former respected justice said yesterday.

Bismar Siregar said that the meeting discussed national stability, something which he said not all justices were well- informed about.

Giving their directives to the justices were, among others, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Home Affairs Yogie S.M. and Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.

Bismar said that the critics who accused the officials of attempting to undermine the judicial system's independence were imposing "western standards" on an Indonesian system.

"I am very concerned about these attitudes," he told The Jakarta Post after addressing a one-day seminar on the Islamic community's readiness for globalization.

Expressing dismay over the presence of government and military figures at the justices' national workshop in Yogyakarta was well-known lawyer T. Mulya Lubis.

Lubis, who is also a prominent human rights campaigner, told the Kompas daily that the officials' involvement underlined the public's doubts about the independence of its judicial system.

The critics should have thanked Feisal for providing the justices with his insight and knowledge about stability, Bismar said.

Bismar added that he shared Feisal's opinion that justices would contribute more to national stability if they did their jobs properly and maintained their independence.

"I doubt that all justices have a sound knowledge about aspects of national stability," he said.

He argued that by understanding the concept of national stability, justices would be able to handle cases based on a wider perspective, which would help them make impartial decisions.

Citing an example, Bismar said that if all law enforcers understood the menace of Ecstasy, they would hand down heavier sentences in drug-related cases.

"At present, people found guilty of trafficking Ecstasy get between eight months and three years in jail. Why don't justices punish the violators with death?" he asked.

Bismar said that Feisal's talk during the gathering was within his field of competence.

"Is it wrong if the Armed Forces chief discusses the importance of national stability? I don't think so. I would appreciate that," said Bismar.

However, Bismar recognized that law enforcement in Indonesia needs to be improved. But he added that improving the welfare of judges as many have suggested would not automatically improve their performance.

"The most important thing is for them to have faith," he said. "Traditionally, Indonesians see their leaders as role models." (03)