Chief Justice Harifin Tumpa:

Judges need to stick to code of conduct

 

Chief Justice Harifin A. Tumpa (center) is giving an address to Ikahi’s members

Palembang | Badilag.net/english (6/10)

Chief Justice Harifin A. Tumpa said judges need to adhere to the code of conduct that has been recently formulated by the Supreme Court together with the Judicial Commission. Chief Justice stressed this remarks Tuesday night (6/10) when giving and address to participants of National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of Indonesian Judges Association (Ikahi) in Palembang, South Sumatera Province.

The need to stick to the code of conduct, Harifin said, is as a result of a still-worrying image of Indonesian judiciary perceived by the public. Through this way Harifin believed Supreme Court and its subordinate courts can regain public confidence.

He further said judges must stay independent. Moreover, due to more complex problems judges face today, the independence needs enhancing.

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Harifin Tumpa also warned, though, that judges’ independence has to be accompanied with high accountability and integrity. Otherwise, judicial tyranny will take place.

Professionalism and integrity are two elements that judges must pay much attention to. Professional means that judges have to master proceedings law when examining cases, Harifin said.

According to the Chief Justice, 80 – 90 % of judges examined by Judicial Commission stemmed from judges’ inadequate mastery of this procedural law.

Indonesian Judges Association holds yearly National Working Meeting coinciding with Supreme Court’s National Working Meeting that commences tomorrow. General Chairman of Ikahi, Abdul Kadir Mappong admitted this is for financial efficiency.

Abdul Kadir Mappong said Ikahi has played an important role in strengthening law enforcement in addition to improving judges’ professionalism and integrity. (cho)