Supreme Court Quickly Responds to Freedom of Information Law

Jakarta | badilag.net/english 

Starting from 1 May 2010, Law No. 14/2008 on Freedom of Information will come into effect. The law requires all public bodies including judiciaries to disclose all necessary information to public.

Responding to this, Supreme Court will soon issue a circular letter (SEMA) instructing courts in all levels to comply with the regulations stipulated by the law. The Court will also send Supreme Court Supervisory Body to monitor courts in providing public information.

Previously in 2007, Supreme Court issued a decision letter known as SK KMA No. 144/2007 on Information openness in courts. However, the SK does not seem to run effectively.

.

“This (law) is very urgent to carry out. SK KMA on information openness and Law on Freedom of Information must be immediately implemented,” said Atja Sondjaja, Deputy Chief Justice for Civil Cases.

“If there is a contradiction between SK KMA and the law, then the law should be made precedence,” Justice Takdir Rahmadi added.

If referring to the SK KMA No. 14/2007, information that must be published by courts at least include the description of litigation process, information of court fees, and verdict publication. Freedom of Information Law also requires that such information be published. Furthermore, the law provides criminal charges for those breaking the stipulations.

Director General of Badilag, Wahyu Widiana, since two years ago has always urged Religious Courts to implement the SK on information openness.

“No more excuses for Religious Courts not to implement the stipulations of the law and SK KMA,” he said.