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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How does the jurisdictional gap between the Judicial Commission (KY) and law enforcement agencies hinder the investigation and prosecution of potentially criminal activity within the Indonesian judiciary?
## Justice Under Scrutiny: A Conversation about Corruption in Indonesia’s Courts
**Host:** Welcome to the show. Today, we’re diving into a critical issue impacting Indonesia’s justice system: corruption within the courts. Joining us to shed light on this complex issue is [Guest Name and Title], a renowned expert on legal reform and judicial integrity.
**Guest:** Thank you for having me. This is indeed a serious matter that demands our attention.
**Host:** Recently, we’ve witnessed a high-profile case involving three judges from the Surabaya District Court suspected of bribery and gratification in a murder case. This incident has raised concerns about the prevalence of corruption within the judiciary. What are your thoughts on this?
**Guest:** The case you mentioned highlights a critical challenge facing Indonesia: the blurred lines between ethical violations and criminal offenses within the judicial system.
While the Judicial Commission (KY), as emphasized by its chairman Amzulian Rifai, [1], is mandated to investigate ethical breaches by judges, its authority doesn’t extend to pursuing criminal charges.
**Host:** So, even if the KY uncovers evidence suggesting criminal activity, they are powerless to act?
**Guest:** Precisely. This can create a frustrating situation for the KY, who may stumble upon potential criminal wrongdoing during their ethical investigations. The recent meeting between KY Chairman Rifai and Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin signifies the need for better collaboration and a clear protocol for handling such cases.
**Host:** What steps can be taken to address this jurisdictional gap and ensure that all allegations of wrongdoing are thoroughly investigated?
**Guest:** This requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we need to strengthen the legal framework, ensuring that the KY has the authority, resources, and expertise to conduct comprehensive investigations, encompassing both ethical and potential criminal breaches. Secondly, establishing clear **communication channels and collaboration protocols** between the KY and law enforcement agencies, like the Attorney General’s Office, is crucial for a seamless transfer of cases when potential criminal activities are unearthed.
**Host:**
Ultimately, public trust in the judiciary is paramount for a functioning democracy. Addressing these issues swiftly and transparently is essential to uphold the integrity of Indonesia’s justice system. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
**Guest:** It’s been my pleasure. This is an ongoing conversation, and I urge everyone to remain vigilant and advocate for a more just and transparent judicial system.
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