The Supreme Court puzzle

The puzzle at the Supreme Court has finally been answered. Supreme Court chairman Soerjono, after a meeting with President Soeharto Monday explained that no proof of collusion was found in the highest judicial institution. According to Soerjono, the rumor of a Rp. 1.4 billion bribe -- which was initially raised by the Supreme Court's deputy chairman for cases of general criminal law, Adi Andojo Soetjipto, and taken up by the printed and electronic media -- originated from an unverified anonymous letter.

The conclusion, based on investigations conducted by the coordinator of special control, appears to answer all the riddles plaguing this elevated judicial institution. As it turns out, however, the answers have created new riddles. The conclusion does not question what was wrong with Adi, the Supreme Court justice who was unwavering in exposing the misbehavior among his colleagues and who was then barred from speaking to the press?

Either Adi is being victimized or he is indeed guilty. By his admission he is greatly disappointed with the result of the investigation. According to Adi, clear and transparent proof of collusion is easily found. The finding of innocence in the Supreme Court could encourage further collusion among judges and outsiders. Some observers fear that the finding is not objective. The problem is that the investigation was conducted by an agency of the Supreme Court itself. An independent investigation might have come up with a more neutral finding.

The public sees many cases in which the Supreme Court appears unhealthy. The critical capabilities of individuals like Adi should not be destroyed by this finding, which was endorsed by the Supreme Court's chairman. We hope people will not become afraid to speak the truth because of this conclusion.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta