Again, judges urged to be more independent

Chief Justice Harifin A. Tumpa (right) and The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) interim leader Tumpak H. Panggabean (left) after discussing Friday (16/10) the establishment of seven corruption courts. (photo: The Jakarta Post)

Jakarta | badilag.net/english (19/10)

Chief Justice Harifin A. Tumpa restated Friday (16/10) his urge that judges must be more independent when examining cases and handing down judgments. This is especially urgent, since, according to Chief Justice, judges’ credibility has not changed much in the past 30 years.

“Therefore I urge them to become more independent,” thejakartapost.com reported.

Previously, Harifin gave the same statement when delivering directions to participants of the Supreme Court National Working Meeting (Rakernas MA RI) last week in Palembang, South Sumatra.

Chief Justice believes that through Strategic Plans set out by the Supreme Court, judges will gradually improve their performance in terms of independence and quality.

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The improvement, however, is not an easy task to achieve. Harifin underlines two main aspects, hard work and change management.

He further bottomlined three elements that need enhanced within Indonesian Courts: Improvement of Administration System, Supervision System and Technical-Judicial Matters.

Harifin’s conviction of a far better Indonesian Courts apparently stemmed from his policies in running the judicial reform and imposing stricter regulations on all Courts’ officials and staff.

“We need to publicly announce offending judges so as to deter other judges from doing the same mistakes,” Harifin once said. (cho)