Real actions needed to thwart corruption: Experts

Real actions needed to thwart corruption: Experts

JAKARTA (JP): Corruption cases in Indonesia have increased
because no real action has been taken to handle them, a criminal
law expert said Monday.

"During the reform era, corruption problems tend to escalate
instead of lowering," J.E. Sahetapi said in a discussion at the
launching of the Indonesian Judicial Watch (JWI) at Hotel Mulia.

The new body, chaired by human rights lawyer Todung Mulya
Lubis, is supported not only by a number of prominent law
experts, but also by some journalists specializing in legal
affairs.

Sahetapi, who is chairman of the Indonesian Law Commission
(KHN), cast doubt over the authorities' determination to combat
corruption as he has seen no real action to fight the crimes.

He called upon the public to take an active part by monitoring
the actions of Attorney General Marzuki Darusman and National
Police chief Surojo Bimantoro.

Another speaker, newly appointed justice Artidjo Alkostar,
also expressed his concern over law enforcement problems.

He stated that the problems couldn't be settled because most
law enforcement officers still had poor moral integrity.

"That is what makes it easy for outsiders to interfere with
judicial rulings," he said.

He added that weak internal controls of judges' behavior is
also a serious problem. "As a result, judges' uncontrolled
behavior has become a social burden," he said.

At their installation, judges always state their oath, but
during their term, what they do is often the reverse of what they
have earlier stated in their oath, he added.

He suggested that the improvement should begin with the
justices at the Supreme Court, and then be followed by high court
judges and district court judges. He was certain that if the
judges are clean, other law enforcement officials such as
prosecutors, police, and lawyers would be discouraged from
interfering with the judiciary.

In the meantime, Lubis said the corrupted judiciary is one of
the most complex problems facing the country, which has prompted
the establishment of JWI.

"JWI is an independent and nonpartisan institute which is
aimed at thoroughly watching the performance of the Indonesian
judicial system, including the State Official Wealth Audit
Commission (KPKPN), Joint Team of Corruption Eradication (TGPK),
National Ombudsman Commission and Capital Market Supervisory
Agency (Bapepam)," Todung said.

Todung announced that within a short time JWI would also open
offices in several provincial cities such as Surabaya, Bandung
and Yogyakarta.

He said, JWI vowed to reform Indonesian laws, regulations and
the judicial system and perform systematic and intensive
evaluations of cases that attract public attention such as
corruption, abuse of authority and crimes against humanity.

"JWI will also monitor credibility and integrity of law
enforcers in executing their duties and will expose to the public
those who are corrupt," he said.

JWI would put the priority on cases related to the public
interests and those with importance and impact such as former
President Soeharto's case, Bank Bali scandal, Bulog (National
Logistic Agency) scandal and cases handled at the commercial
courts. (01)