Supreme Court clears 659 cases

JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court, swamped by a huge backlog of litigation cases, heard 659 cases in April despite being understaffed.

Chief Justice Sarwata told a press conference yesterday he was hopeful the number of cases completed by the Supreme Court's 17 judges will reach 700 for May.

He was quoted by Antara as saying the justices' performance was quite a feat for the Court which is short of 10 justices.

The Supreme Court, which usually has 51 justices, will install 10 new justices this morning to replace those who retired or passed away.

"When we are again fully-manned, we can expect to finish the remaining 17,599 back cases soon," he said.

He added that each panel of justices is meant to discuss and finish at least 50 cases per day or 1,000 every month.

He promised the Court will not sacrifice quality over quantity.

"Speeding up the processing of the back cases does not mean the Court will be careless," he said.

"We'll maintain the quality of the legal process."

He estimated the Supreme Court will be able to clear the backlog by the year 2000. Afterward, the current number of 51 justices can cope with the usual load of 1,500 cases annually.

Four justices will also be installed as deputy chief justices by President Soeharto. Sarwata did not say when.

The 1997 presidential decrees 100/M, 106/M and 124/M, name M. Yahya Harahap as the new Deputy Chief Justice for General Crimes, replacing Adi Andojo Sutjipto; Maj. Gen. German Hoediarto as Deputy Chief Justice for Military Tribunal replacing Sarwata; H. Zakir as Deputy Chief Justice for State Administrative courts replacing Th. Ketut Suraputra; and M. Syafiuddin Kartasasmita as Deputy Chief Justice for Traditional/Civil Court replacing Palti Raja Siregar who retired.

The 10 new justices to be sworn in this morning are: Emin Aminah Achdiat, I Nengah Wedastra, Mangatas Nasution, Marnis Kahar, R. Sunu Wahadi, Soekirno, Soenardi Padang, Sudarno, Suwawai and Zainal Abidin Abubakar. (swe)