Officials not trying to influence judicial system
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."
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