CHAIRMAN of the Judicial Commission (KY) Amzulian Rifai held a meeting with Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin at the Indonesian Attorney General’s Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/11). The meeting took place in the middle of the investigation into a case of alleged bribery and/or gratification which involved three judges at the Surabaya District Court (PN) as suspects in connection with the murder case committed by Ronald Tannur.
After meeting Burhanuddin, Amzulian emphasized that his party’s authority could only investigate ethical violations by members of the judiciary. During this meeting, he said that often investigations carried out by KY found criminal elements. However, Amzulian admitted that his party could not investigate this matter.
“Sometimes during an examination of the ethical area, there are actually things that we believe are criminal in nature. But, when we feel that it is criminal, our authority does not extend to that,” he explained.
Therefore, the meeting with the Attorney General is a moment for the KY to mitigate if it finds suspected criminal acts when examining individual judges. According to Amzulian, Burhanuddin has expressed his willingness to follow up on the results of the KY examination at a later date.
“We will convey follow-up if the results of the examination are criminal. The Attorney General is pleased to follow up later if there are criminal matters,” said Amzulian.
It is known that JAM-Pidsus investigators have named six people as suspects in cases of alleged bribery and/or gratification related to case management, including three Surabaya District Court judges, namely Erintuah Damanik, Mangapul, and Heru Hanindyo.
The other three suspects are former Head of the Legal and Judicial Training Agency of the Supreme Court (MA) Zarof Ricar, Ronald’s lawyer named Lisa Rachmat, and Meirizka Widjaja as Ronald’s mother.
Erintuah, Mangapul, and Heru handed down a verdict of acquittal against Ronald at the first instance court. Meanwhile, at the cassation hearing, Ronald’s case was tried by Supreme Court justices Soesilo, Ainal Mardhiah, and Sutarjo.
Separately, Burhanuddin emphasized that his party would follow up on the report submitted by KY. If the results of the KY’s examination of individual judges are deemed accurate, investigators, continued the Attorney General, will investigate them.
He also said that he would not feel uncomfortable if he investigated a case involving a supreme judge at the Supreme Court. (P-5)
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What are mechanisms for ensuring confidentiality is maintained during the initial stages of disciplinary proceedings against state supreme court justices, as discussed in [[1](https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/judicial-ethics-and-discipline-states)]?
## Interview with Amzulian Rifai on Judicial Ethics and Criminal Investigations
**Host:** Welcome to the show, Mr. Rifai.
**Amzulian Rifai:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** You recently met with Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin to, as you put it, “mitigate” if suspected criminal acts are found during KY evaluations. Can you elaborate on this?
**Rifai:** Certainly. The Judicial Commission, or KY, is tasked with upholding ethical standards within the judiciary. We investigate complaints and concerns about judges’ behavior.
**Host:** Your recent meeting with the Attorney General stemmed from an ongoing investigation into judges at the Surabaya District Court.
**Rifai:** Exactly. While our investigation centers on ethical violations, we often uncover elements that seem criminally actionable.
**Host:** Like the case involving the three judges suspected of accepting bribes related to the Ronald Tannur murder case?
**Rifai:** Precisely. That’s where the need for collaboration comes in. We, the KY, can’t directly prosecute criminal acts. That’s the domain of the Attorney General’s Office. Our meeting with the Attorney General ensures smooth handover of findings that warrant criminal investigation.
**Host:** So, the KY acts as a filter, identifying potential criminal activity within the judicial system and alerting the appropriate authorities?
**Rifai:** You could say that. We aim to ensure accountability and transparency within the judiciary. When we believe something rises to the level of a crime, we will work with the Attorney General’s office to pursue justice.
**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this important collaboration, Mr. Rifai.
**Rifai:** Thank you for having me.
