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. Through 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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## Interview with KY Chairman on Judicial Ethics and Criminal Investigations
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re joined by Amzulian Rifai, Chairman of the Judicial Commission (KY), the body responsible for overseeing the ethical conduct of judges in Indonesia. Mr. Rifai, thank you for joining us.
**Amzulian Rifai:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** We understand you recently met with Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin. Could you tell our viewers what the purpose of that meeting was?
**Amzulian Rifai:** Certainly. Our meeting was prompted by the ongoing investigation into the alleged bribery and gratification case involving three judges at the Surabaya District Court. As you know, the KY only has the authority to investigate ethical violations by members of the judiciary. However, through our own investigations, we often encounter situations where we suspect criminal activity.
**Host:** So, what happens in those situations?
**Amzulian Rifai:** Unfortunately, our authority doesn’t extend to conducting criminal investigations. We need to rely on the Attorney General’s office and the police to address those matters. That’s why our meeting with the Attorney General was important. It allows us to communicate our findings to his office and ensure proper follow-up actions are taken when we believe criminal elements are involved.
**Host:** This case with the three judges in Surabaya seems to highlight the complex relationship between judicial ethics and criminal law. How do you see the KY’s role in ensuring justice in such situations?
**Amzulian Rifai:** The KY plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust and confidence in the judiciary. By upholding ethical standards, we strive to ensure that judges act with integrity and impartiality. When we uncover potential criminal activity, we act as a gatekeeper, flagging those cases for further investigation by the relevant authorities.
**Host:** Thank you, Mr. Rifai, for shedding light on this important issue. We appreciate your insights.