DG of Badilag explains on Justice for the Poor to Journalists.
Bogor l badilag.net
A press conference is held at Salak Room in Novotel Hotel, Bogor. The Chief Justice explains about the 2011 IACA Conference to journalists. A journalist asks a question on legal aid provided by the Supreme Courts. The Chief Justice, Harifin A. Tumpa, suddenly asks DG of Badilag, Wahyu Widiana to answer the question. “Badilag (Directorate of Religious Court) knows the real conditions”, the Chief Justice said.
The explanation of DG of Badilag on justice for the poor in the religious court in answering some questions from journalists is as follows:
.How much are the budgets for legal aid allocated?
There are three legal aids in the religious court. First, prodeo facility (waiving court fees) with the target of 11,533 cases as it is mentioned by the President. The budget is about Rp. 3 billion with Rp. 300 thousands for each case.
Second, circuit court which will be held 273 locations throughout Indonesia. There are 100 locations in Sumatera but only 1 location in Papua. The Muslims in a remote area in Papua New Guinea is very little, therefore, the budget is very little. Meanwhile, there are 68 locations of circuit court in Java. Our government provides Rp. 4 billion of budget. It depends on the distance of circuit courts held.
Third, legal aid post which is sated in the Law as well as the Circular Letter of the Chief Justice No. 10/2010. Legal Aid Post is gradually provided in General Court and Religious Court as well.
There are 46 religious courts providing legal aid posts. It is a pilot project chosen based on the circuit courts have ever been conducted before.
The budget is not from the religious court but from the state through the Supreme Court. It is used to pay advocates assigned in the legal aid posts. The advocates will be paid according to how long they provide the legal aid posts not according to the case accomplished.
The numbers of cases will differ in 46 Religious Courts. There 3 religious courts with huge numbers of cases and one of them is Religious Court of Bandung.
The legal aid post in the Religious Court of Bandung is regularly scheduled to be operated on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There are about two or three justice seeker served in one day.
Legal Aid Post Officers are recruited with a specific system. They must be skilled in formulating an application for a case. They provide legal advice, legal consultation and making a law suit.
DG of Badilag states that he has observed legal aid posts in the Religious Court of Bandung, Depok and Cianjur. There were 30 to 40 justice seekers coming in one day to get the service.
How is about the legal aid post in the General Court?
In fact, legal aid post was provided long time ago for the poor punished for 5 years in criminal case. But I am so sorry I do not know exactly in detail.
How is the socialization of legal aid post?
We use banners and posters and other tools to publish the legal aid post. We distribute them to all villages and regions. Besides we use website and it provide a special section for justice for all.
We also make a collaborative work with village officer, NGO organization such as PEKKA (Female Heads of Household) and Women Center of UIN (State Islamic University) of Yogyakarta.
How to pay advocate services?
The money for the advocate will be paid according the MoU between courts and the institution providing legal aid post. And the financial responsibility is like usual. About Rp. 90 or Rp. 100 million is allocated for legal aid post. The budget will differ from one court to others.
Is it through a tender?
We have made coordination with BAPPENAS and Financial Ministry. If the budget is up to Rp. 100 million, the selection must be published to public, not always with a tender. Meanwhile, if it is less than Rp.100 million, it can be organized by the religious court it self. (raj).